Macarthur Memorial Park – the first crown cemetery to open in NSW for 80 years – to be officially opened by Premier Minns on Monday, April 7

Press Release

April 4, 2025

Macarthur Memorial Park Opens At Varroville, Campbelltown

 

NSW’s first crown cemetery to open in 80 years will be celebrated at the Macarthur Memorial Park at Varroville in South West Sydney, Campbelltown, on Monday, April 7, 2025.

 

An opening ceremony will be held onsite at 9am at the site, located at 166-176 St Andrews Rd, Varroville to be attended by NSW Premier Chris Minns, NSW Minister for Lands and Property, Steve Kamper, Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher and leaders of 25 other faith groups.

 

The park will feature 136,000 burial plots, as well as many thousands of cremation niches, to service the people of NSW for the next 100 years, fulfilling the pressing need for burial space in Sydney’s rapidly growing and diverse multi-cultural and multi-faith population.

 

The operator of the park, the not for profit Catholic Cemeteries and Crematoria Trust (CCC), has handed the $125 million project back to the NSW Government as publicly-owned crown land for future generations to experience.

 

The park features three chapels, called The Sanctuary, with seating for up to 500 people, as well as a separate function centre for a variety of family and community events, with seating for 250 people.

 

There are 20 “burial rooms” (dedicated burial areas for specific religious and ethnic groups), six lakes and eight kilometres of walking and bike tracks, covering 35 hectares, available to the public during daylight hours.

 

The park also features a café serving throughout the day and areas where the community can picnic and simply relax amongst extensive gardens and thousands of native plants and trees that have been planted on the site.

 

Lauren Hardgrove, Chief Executive Officer of CCC, said “We are delighted to provide this park for the people of NSW and look forward to the community embracing this unique facility, which spans 113 hectares in the Scenic Hills and will serve generations to come.”

 

 

 

 

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“Macarthur Memorial Park has been inspired by international facilities that welcome not only those honouring their loved ones but also the wider public seeking a place to reflect, connect with friends, or enjoy the outdoors,” she added.

 

Premier Minns said, “I am excited that this park is now available for the people of NSW and look forward to seeing the community benefit from its purpose as both a place of remembrance and a space for relaxation.

 

“The Labor Government has been instrumental in approving this facility to alleviate the fast- diminishing supply of burial grounds in Sydney and uncertainty of who operates them.

 

“These parks are a quiet and beautiful places of recreation for all the family, schools and other groups of all faiths and cultures, with groves of trees, lakes and open space. For all intents and purposes, they are not cemeteries but beautiful open spaces to be enjoyed by everyone”, he added.

 

President of the Muslim Cemeteries Board, Mr Kazi Ali. OAM, emphasised the need for additional burial space and welcomed the opening of Macarthur Memorial Park as a significant milestone for the Muslim community.

 

“For years, the shortage of burial space has been a growing concern in our community, and we were facing a real crisis. While this crisis has been mitigated by new cemetery spaces across Sydney, Macarthur Memorial Park will play a crucial role in serving the growing Muslim population, providing our families a dignified and appropriate place for burial for generations to come,” he said.

 

Chief Executive Officer of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies Michele Goldman said “The opening of Macarthur Memorial Park ends a long journey to deliver new, affordable and appropriate burial space for the Jewish Community. The reality is that the Jewish community had been running out of burial space but thanks to MMP we are ready for the next century.”

 

Maronite Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay said, "The opening of Macarthur Memorial Park is a momentous occasion for all faith communities in NSW. As Maronites, we deeply value the importance of honouring our deceased loved ones with dignity and respect. This park provides a sacred and peaceful place where families can gather, reflect, pray, and continue their traditions for generations to come. We are grateful for this commitment to ensuring all communities have access to a respectful and enduring place of remembrance."

 

CCC has also announced the expansion of its Kemps Creek burial grounds, with the purchase of an additional 4.73 hectares for 10,000 burial spaces, which will also be the property of crown lands.

 

 

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Burial sites at Macarthur Memorial Park start from $6,950, with an additional interment fee of $3,529.60, covering the cost of burial or placement.

 

Archbishop Fisher said “I applaud the Minns Government for its foresight and action to end the uncertainty about where close to 30 per cent of the NSW population will continue to be buried.

 

“Macarthur Memorial Park is truly a place for all faiths and cultures and we are proud to be handing over this valuable asset that has taken 13 years to come to fruition”, he concluded. 

 

For further information visit: mmpark.com.au

 

For media inquiries or further information, please contact:

 

Anthony Rumble,

Catholic Cemeteries and Crematoria

0476 105 881 

[email protected]

 

Issued By:

Tim Allerton

City PR

0412 715 707