We strongly object to the project due to unsuitability of the roads in Douglas Park especially Douglas Park Gorge. Such a large project will have a permanent effect on the river system and local flora and fauna as well as the amenity on our local village.

I have attached a file with most of my comments.

One other question I have is if the proposal is successful, will the initial construction involve excavating all the stage 1 plots during this process? If that is to be the case will the resident's be compensated for the noise and dust created?
Regards,
Amanda Rollason

As a direct neighbour and student living in direct proximity to the proposed site, I submit my objection to the Douglas Park Memorial Park. The change of this rural area into a cemetery of this scale directly threatens my ability to study, live, and maintain my mental well-being. The proposal will create unmanageable strains on local roads and train access, compromises our privacy, and forces an overwhelming environment of grief onto a household meant to serve as a sanctuary for me. Vegetative screening cannot mitigate the psychological impact or physical reality of overlooking a massive, institutionalised burial landscape from my front yard or bedroom window.

The scale of this project will cause constant disruptions to my studies (first year UNSW). The ongoing noise (excavators, service vehicles, lawn mowers and mourners) will all make it impossible to concentrate on assignments, tutorials and lectures while at home. The constant stream of traffic to and from the site will hamper my ability to access the train station on the days that I attend the Kensington Campus. At present trains run on the hour to and from Douglas Park, therefore it makes it virtually impossible to arrive on campus on time for exams and lectures.

I urge you to consider rejecting this large scale development in its entirety as it is inappropriate for this location. It places an unacceptable burden on local students and residents, lacks the necessary public transport links, violates residential privacy, and poses a direct threat to the mental health of the immediate community.

To the Assessing Officer,
As an immediately downslope neighbour, I have serious concerns regarding both the proposed wastewater system and the adequacy of the environmental, hydrogeological and geotechnical investigations for the Douglas Park Cemetery.
The applicant has shifted from an on-site treatment system to a 50,000 L pump‑out-only system without adequate justification. This approach is not appropriate for a large public development and appears to be a fallback solution. The report does not demonstrate why on-site treatment or Sydney Water servicing are unviable, nor does it properly assess the impacts of frequent pump‑outs, including traffic, noise, odour, access and spill risks.
More broadly, the supporting investigations rely on limited data and assumptions and do not demonstrate that the site is suitable without unacceptable long-term risks. Shallow and perched groundwater (as little as ~2.1 m) may be intersected by proposed burial depths (up to 2.85 m), yet assessments rely on average conditions and exclude surface water impacts despite drainage toward neighbouring properties and the Nepean catchment.
Site investigations are limited, with insufficient borehole coverage and unreliable groundwater observations. The proposal involves extensive excavation and engineered fill, raising unresolved risks of settlement, instability, seepage and long-term performance. There is also no detailed modelling of contaminant transport, pathogen migration or long-term groundwater quality.
Impacts to adjoining residents—including seepage, erosion, drainage changes and contamination—have not been adequately assessed. The site’s Hawkesbury Sandstone geology makes a cemetery of this scale highly unusual within the Sydney Basin.
Additionally, traffic assumptions are flawed, relying on access from the northern side and nearby train station despite constrained, unsafe access via a narrow gorge currently under consideration for closure due to landslip and safety risks.
Conclusion:
The proposal is unsupported by adequate, transparent or comprehensive assessment. I request that it not be approved unless a properly justified wastewater strategy and significantly more rigorous, independent investigations are undertaken.
Kind Regards,
Lindsay

The local infrastructure cannot support the demand that this project will bring into the area. Douglas park Drive coming through the gorge is a one-way road and cannot support more cars than is currently on it.
The wildlife is going to be DESTROYED with this going ahead. The local koala habitats will be destroyed, along with many other animal species in the area. Getting rid of so many thousands of trees for this project.

I understand that the native vegetation on the property was cleared circa 2003/05 without the necessary approvals or permissions. At the time of clearing the native vegetation on the site was identified as a threatened ecological community described as Shale Sandstone Transition Forest, a Cumberland Plains plant assemblage that has subsequently been declared a critically endangered ecological community.

The native forest on the lot was also identified as koala habitat and remains as such in the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan.

it is my understanding that there is no 'statute of limitations' for action to be taken in the NSW Land and Environment Court to order the remediation of the property. Similarly, despite the clearing being some time ago, there remains the possibility that a prosecution may be possible if Council can prove it has only recently become aware of the clearing.

Before any development approval assessment can be finalised it is suggested prudent that clarification be sought from the Consent Authority as to whether any action is afoot or alive in relation to remediation or prosecution for the clearing of native vegetation on the property.

The proposed location will significantly increase traffic through two gorge crossings that are single lane, only suitable for local traffic, and most concerningly the one in the direction of the Douglas park township has no protection from a drop off a cliff that would put non-local drivers, likely under stress with loved ones having recently passed, under significant risk of driving over the edge to their own death. The proposed traffic plan will not prevent this risk. The road is also unlikely to be able to withstand the increased traffic volume and the damage will likely result in the road being closed affecting all locals living on both sides of the gorge. As I understand it, the site also does not have the soil depth suitable for graves, and adding topsoil will introduce the risk of biological contamination to the river system surrounding the site. Locals, including my family, swim, fish and boat in this river. If rock breaking is required this will also have a significant noise pollution impact on all who live in the area. We are also concerned regarding the impact of cremations on the air quality. There is already mining activity in the area that has an impact, and the cumulative pollution impact would need to be assessed. I strongly oppose the location of this development.

Independent reports prove this project is environmentally unsuitable for this area due to bedrock and water run off, which could pollute the river as this is a water catchment area.

There are a number of reasons why this project should be stopped.

Firstly, the quality of the roads. As a resident of the area, I can see that the gorge would not be be sustainable for the increase in traffic that will occur once the memorial park is built. It is already struggling with the increase in drivers from the growing Wilton and Appin area. The gorge already struggles when we experience heavy rainfalls. If you were to redirect through Picton Road, you would also face endless traffic from those trying to get to Bingara Gorge. There is no way that the area is suitable for something as big as the proposed memorial park.

Secondly, the damage to the Nepean River would be irreversible. By drilling into the land and burying or cremating bodies, you will be releasing so toxins and debris into the waterway. Not only is the waterway a great source for many government areas, it is also a place where local residents can enjoy time with their families. It is also a place where we see marine life and where we want to support the different speicies that are in there. The prospect of it being contaminated will diminish the water source and ruin another natural part of our world.

Finally, this is a rural area that should be protected. There is a reason why people choose to live in Douglas Park and they have spent a lot of their own money to build a life here. It is a quiet and rural setting that should not be disturbed with the prospect of a memorial park. What an absolute monstrosity it will be for the local residents. We don't need that here in our little country town.

Upon hearing about the proposal for the memorial site, I have serious concerns about the viability of the project for a number of reasons.
Reason 1 - Road infrastructure. As a resident of the area, I can testify that the gorge would not be suitable for the increase in traffic that will occur once the memorial park is built. The local residents already struggle with the increase since the building of Bingara Gorge as there are already more cars using the quiet streets as well as the gorge. Based on geological surveys conducted by the government, we already know that it is not a reliable road. The amount of people that would need to pass through for a memorial service would only put strain on the gorge and the local roads. On top of this, there is no convenient access to public transport. You would be unrealistic if you asked families to travel by public transport and then be asked to travel on a bus to get to the memorial site.
Reason 2 - Natural environment. We know that everyone is trying their best to look after the natural environment so let's consider the impact this would have on the Nepean River. By drilling into the neighbouring land and burying or cremating bodies, you will be releasing so many toxins and debris into the waterway. Not only is the waterway a great source for many government areas, it is also a place where local residents can enjoy time with their families. The prospect of it being contaminated will diminish the water source and ruin another natural part of our world.
Reason 3 - Rural classification. How can you call Douglas Park a rural area if you bring in large structures such as a memorial park? The reason local residents live here is because it is a place away from the hustle and bustle of other areas. You are taking away from their lifestyle and their choice and investment to live in this area.