Incoming calls for cemetery meet dead end

Calls for the improved management of Waverley Cemetery have loudened amid growing financial and maintenance pressures placed on the site.

Waverley Labor Councillor Paula Masselos said Council needs to improve management of its income generating assets in light of a growing backlog of critical, but expensive, maintenance work at Waverley Cemetery.

“The cemetery can develop more income sources and a panel is presently reviewing options. The building and sale of niches would be a good start; renting out the residential property on site is another,” she said.

Ms Masselos said Council should find new revenue streams, but must also take into account financial costs and environmental and heritage values.

“However, I believe that we need to be aware of the heritage values of the cemetery and not place an onerous financial burden on the residents of the community in the medium to long-term,” she said.

There is broader concern the cemetery is falling into disrepair, with several broken walls and fences. The Caretaker’s Cottage now vacated and used for storage.

Council manages the site and is currently looking at a number of alternative income streams.

A spokesperson for Waverley Council said that contrary to Ms Masselos’ claim, Waverley Cemetery’s assets are well-managed.

“Waverley Cemetery is being exceptionally well-managed as a business, and since 1999 has been returning a profit each year before depreciation,” the spokesperson said.

“Surplus income is returned annually to a separate cemetery reserve, which is used exclusively to help maintain and restore infrastructure in both Waverley and South Head cemeteries.”

The spokesperson for Waverley Council said leasing out the Caretaker’s Cottage would generate negligible income.

“If the cemetery caretaker’s residence – which had been leased out as a residential dwelling for market rent for some years but has now been vacated – was to be leased out again to generate income, market rents that can be achieved for this house would raise less than 2.5 per cent of the cemetery’s current total annual income,” the spokesperson said.

Greens Councillor Dominic Wy Kanak said Council’s response to the worsening situation at the cemetery should be to balance respecting heritage and maintaining the site.

“Acknowledging with respect that it is the resting place of noted Australians and former community members, Waverley Council has to carefully balance this devotion with the important task of managing the Waverley Cemetery as a national heritage and income generating asset,” he said.