HT Building Pty Ltd has submitted a revised concept plan to the New South Wales Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) for a multi-denominational cemetery and crematorium in Douglas Park, reducing the proposed capacity from 69,759 burial plots to 37,000.

This adjustment comes as part of ongoing assessments through the State Significant Development (SSD) pathway.

The proposed Douglas Park Memorial Park is to be constructed on a nearly 17,000 square-meter site located between two residential streets, approximately 40 minutes from Wollongong.

The developer cited a series of environmental and infrastructure studies that indicated the need for a smaller cemetery capacity.

A crematorium will remain part of the development plans but is positioned for consideration in later stages.

This is not the first modification to the project.

Previous iterations of the plan faced significant opposition from local residents and community representatives, resulting in this third revision of the cemetery's size.

Residents, including local resident Tracey McConchie, have expressed concerns about the site’s suitability, citing geological challenges, bushfire risks, and lack of essential services such as public transport and sewage infrastructure.

The project was initially proposed seven years ago and, after receiving approval for 27,784 burial plots in 2018, faced significant backlash when the capacity was nearly tripled in 2022. In its 2024 scoping report, the developer highlighted the broader context of cemetery shortages within New South Wales, particularly in urban areas surrounding Sydney, asserting that the increased number of burial sites reflects a pressing need.

Residents have raised several objections against the cemetery, including the lack of appropriate infrastructure to accommodate increased traffic, particularly concerning access routes via Hume Highway and The Gorge.

Wollondilly Shire Deputy Mayor Matthew Deeth has echoed these concerns, suggesting that current road networks are insufficient for the prospective influx of visitors to the cemetery.

Additionally, the possibility of a crematorium situated closely to residences has raised health-related apprehensions among community members.

Some residents have reported health issues linked to the stress of the situation, with reports of people selling their homes and relocating in response to the proposed development.

Wollondilly Shire Council is reviewing its Local Environmental Plan (LEP) to consider future regulations on cemetery developments in rural areas.

All changes to the LEP would only impact applications lodged after the amendments are enacted.

HT Building Pty Ltd plans to make the amended concept plan public for community feedback in the coming months.