Plans are progressing for the proposed new cemetery on the corner of Old Cooma and Burra Roads.
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Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council decided at Wednesday’s council meeting that a planning proposal would be submitted to the NSW Minister for Planning for approval.
Council expects to have the submission to the minister in July or August.
The proposal will include a variation to the land’s zoning that would allow for a cemetery and crematorium to be added to the site.
Council had been noncommittal on whether a crematorium would be included, but it remains an option if approval is granted.
Residents of the nearby Mount Campbell Estate angrily opposed the project at a council meeting on May 10.
Their concerns mainly surrounded a lack of consultation in choosing the potential location.
With council purchasing the land prior to planning assessments being completed, one resident felt it was a forgone conclusion the cemetery would go ahead at that location.
A spokesman for the council said the future of that land would be completely dependent on whether the Minister for Planning approves the project.
Should the proposal be accepted, council will move forward with a series of environmental and social studies including a community meeting and public inquiry within the regular 28 day consultation period.
If approval is not granted, council will investigate options for sale or development of the land for other purposes.
The spokesman also confirmed the council was investigating other possible sites should the cemetery not go ahead at Old Cooma Road.
It is expected that the current Queanbeyan cemetery will reach capacity within five years and another location will be necessary.
The search area comprises land to the south and east of Queanbeyan - including land surrounding Googong and Carwoola - but does not include any environmentally restricted areas, the spokesman said.