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31 Comments

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1. We strongly object to this proposal of siting a crematorium on the corner of Mugga and Narrabundah Lane.
   Dhulwa Mental Health Unit caters for up to 25 people with a disability, serious mental illness. They live there full-time for up to 4 years. Additionally, up to 30 staff are there 24/7 to support patients. The site was specifically selected to have a natural aspect, and reduced noise, although the fencing is abhorrent.
   This crematorium proposal is less than 500 metres to Dhulwa, and could pump toxic aerosols which could be ingested by people already with metabolic illness. It would increase traffic and noise.
   It would also give the further impression that people with a mental disability are treated somewhat like dogs in the pound (caged in near proximity), and their closest future journey is death. This is not an appropriate site to foster a hopeful recovery journey for those with mental illness.

2. This development at Callum Brae should not proceed if it risks local flora and fauna. I don’t want to see many creatures, including fish, frogs, birds and wallabies, and the flora that they rely on, pushed further from Canberra’s habitat. Reject this application.

3. It’s a crucial piece of the environment for animals already struggling with urban expansion.

4. My elderly father, a keen bush regenerator and walker recently moved to Red Hill so I only just became aware of Callum Brae. From act.gov: "The reserve is one of the largest areas of endangered Yellow Box-Red Gum Grassy Woodland and an integral part of a woodland corridor which stretches from Canberra across the border into NSW. It is also home to the threatened Perunga Grasshopper."

   We do not need a crematorium or chapel or any more development in this area. I oppose this proposal wholeheatedly.

5. From act.gov: "The reserve is one of the largest areas of endangered Yellow Box-Red Gum Grassy Woodland and an integral part of a woodland corridor which stretches from Canberra across the border into NSW. It is also home to the threatened Perunga Grasshopper."
   This is not an appropriate site for development of a crematorium, & possibly a cemetery in the future, as well as associated buildings. It will destroy the habitat for species already dealing with urban expansion.
   Dhulwa is also close by and established as one of the few mental health facilities ACT has. This surrounds should remain one that is a positive effect on rehabilitation.

   Also, bigger picture, we should be moving away from traditional cremation and on to more environmentally responsible means like water cremation.
   No to a traditional crematorium & no to destruction of endangered woodland.

   https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2019-04-27/green-death-funeral-environment/10994330

6. I object to the development at Callum Brae as it will impact the natural environment and the birds and wildlife it supports. There is no valid reason to put such a facility in a place that many enjoy for its beauty. It has an important role to play in the ecology and keeping a balance of bush and open space is imperative in the future of our city.

7. Please stop giving up our land for profit making entities. We don't need another crematorium especially at the expense of destroying wildlife and local flora. It's ruining our bush capital and killing endangered wildlife.

8. Callum Brae was recently host to a group of Swift Parrots, which caused quite the stir due to their endangered status. This development will further threaten their existence to extinction. I oppose the development in this particular location.

9. There does not need to be any more development in this area that will affect nature and wildlife.

10. This area is part of a very important nature corridor that our wildlife need to survive, especially in often unpredictable and harsh climate like ours. There should not be development in such a scale that creates negative impacts to the area.

11. The site is important habitat for native wildlife, and recently was visited by the endangered Swift Parrot. Please demonstrate that development would adversely affect this woodland ecosystem before proceeding.

12. This application should not proceed as it places commercial gain above environmental concerns. As an avid photographer this reserve has documentary evidence of vulnerable species such as swift parrots visiting the site. For this reason alone the application should not proceed. Add to this the erosion of green space for recreation due to urban expansion, which has been made even more stark during covid restrictions, where our green spaces allowed us to exercise and maintain mental health and the rejection of this application is imperative.

13. Absolutely Unnecessary & profiting from wildlife habitat (nothing new) which is home to several endangered bird species. This will be devastating to their survival. Please rethink this decision & not proceed.

14. I am concerned as the proposed development of the crematorium is very close to the Dhulwa Mental Facility, within 500m. The patients at the facility will be exposed to any toxic aerosols from the crematorium. The safety of the patients at Dhulwa must be fully demonstrated before the development is allowed to proceed.

15. Callum Brae Nature Reserve is a unique place in the ACT protecting the Critically Endangered Yellow Box and Blakely's Red Gum Trees. We owe a duty of care to our natural environment to protect our dwindling native trees, birds and other wildlife. We should expand Callum Brae Nature Reserve rather than allow a commercial crematorium development on its border. ACT has two functioning crematoriums with another planned for Memorial Park in Hume, approximately 5 km from the proposed development. We do not need another crematorium which will destroy the natural environment adjoining the Callum Brae Nature Reserve. This development application should be rejected as unneeded and causing serious environmental damage. The land parcel should be added to the Callum Brae Nature Reserve so that it does not become an isolated wildlife "island". I am a frequent visitor to Callum Brae for physical and mental health breaks.

16. Callum Brae Nature Reserve is an area of peaceful bushland in the heart of Canberra. A crematorium next to it is a totally inappropriate project. Canberra has more than enough crematoriums. We need more bushland. Please reject this development application.

17. I strongly oppose the proposal for new commercial development and lease variation at Mugga Lane and Narrabundah Lane, Symonston, ACT, being the construction of a new crematorium including a chapel, lounge building, landscaping, new carpark, and associated works. Additionally, the lease variation for clause changes including addition of cemetery to the purpose clause.

    1. According to www.environment.act.gov.au : "The [Callum Brae Nature] reserve is one of the largest areas of endangered Yellow Box-Red Gum Grassy Woodland and an integral part of a woodland corridor which stretches from Canberra across the border into NSW. It is also home to the threatened Perunga Grasshopper."

    2. We must not cede any more publicly accessible land to private entities for their own use and profit.

    3. Mental health facilities in the ACT are already in very short supply. The nearby Dhulwa Mental Health Unit will be adversely affected by not only the construction of a crematorium, but the activity of the business itself, and the increased traffic such a business will mean for the area. What impact will the noxious gases (including but not limited to carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, heavy metals, and mercury) from a crematorium have on the staff and patients at Dhulwa?

    4. Before handing over precious nature reserve to private entities for profit, the ACT Government should invest some time in researching whether our area actually needs another crematorium, given that a new crematorium opened earlier in 2021.

    5. The ACT Government should also consider if a traditional crematorium would be in the best long term interests of our environment and therefore our population (human, fauna, and flora). Cremation releases into the air: carbon monoxide, fine soot, sulfur dioxide, heavy metals, and mercury emissions (from dental fillings). "The energy needed for one single cremation is the equivalent of the power an average person uses for an entire month" (from www.bare.com.au). There are several more environmentally sustainable options than cremation - such as alkaline hydrolysis, and body donation - which should be explored and promoted over cremation (or burial).

18. The ACT Government needs to walk the talk and protect precious pockets of the environment around the ACT region. We are losing too much land to development and need to start prioritising the flora and fauna that we have left. "The reserve is one of the largest areas of endangered Yellow Box-Red Gum Grassy Woodland and an integral part of a woodland corridor which stretches from Canberra across the border into NSW. It is also home to the threatened Perunga Grasshopper."

19. Cremation is obsolescent and contributes to global heating and air pollution. If the site is to be used for disposal of dead humans it should be by way conservation burial managed by the Nature Reserve and with burial locations recorded by a GPS system without any physical headstones or other redundant nature damaging constructions such as new chapels or car parks. There are already many nearby religious buildings and locations for religious services.

20. I object to the Development Application and Lease Variation at the corner of Mugga Lane and Narrabundah Lane Symonston.

    1. The report by Capital Ecology as well as the determination of the Conservator of Flora and Fauna have not considered the risk that the crematorium’s toxic emissions pose to the endangered species of flora and fauna of Mugga Mugga Nature park and Callum Brae Nature Park. The cumulative effect of toxins needs to be investigated.

    2. It looks as if the public consultation period is being rushed. More time is needed for the public to evaluate the impact of the toxic gases on the natural environment. More time is also needed for nearby residents to consider the impact the emissions will have on their health. This is especially important for the residents at the Dhulawa Mental Health Unit which is only 500m from the crematorium.

    3. Is another crematorium even needed? The plans for the Southern Memorial Park at Hume include a crematorium.

21. Please don’t cause the deaths of so many innocent and endangered native plants and animals by developing a service that provides for those who have already passed. Surely there is somewhere else more appropriate.

22. Please do not put this development where it will affect Callum Brave. I strong.y oppose this development.

23. This development will have a significant impact on the Callum Brae Nature Park. Canberra is known for its open spaces and wildlife reserves - please don't allow big business to start encroaching on these places.

24. I strongly object to the Development Application and Lease Variation at the corner of Mugga Lane and Narrabundah Lane Symonston. This will have a significant impact on Callum Brae Nature Park.

    The proposal does not adequately consider the ecological impacts on this important wildlife corridor, or impacts on endangered local flora and fauna. It also does not take into account local land usage including recreational usage.

    Public consultation on this issue needs to be extended as it has been inadequately publicised.

25. I object to building a new crematorium on parklands. There are better technologies to deal with death, such as hydrolysis and proper composting which will become the future of the death industry. We do not need any more crematoriums. We need to enhance the existing ecology of parklands with better native flora management.

26. I strongly object to the proposed DA and lease variation on the corner of Mugga Lane and Narabundah Lane Symonston. The construction of a crematorium on this site will have a significant negative impact on Callum Brae Nature Park. What are the environmental impacts has the report been made available to the public from EPA ?
    Alternatively could the company construct a nature park/reserve to protect the wildlife in the area of the proposed crematorium providing a place to sit and enjoy the wildlife in their natural surroundings.

27. This development is inappropriate as it will further threaten this endangered ecological community. Do not approve this application. Extinction is forever.

28. From act.gov: "The reserve is one of the largest areas of endangered Yellow Box-Red Gum Grassy Woodland and an integral part of a woodland corridor which stretches from Canberra across the border into NSW. It is also home to the threatened Perunga Grasshopper."
    How many more trees and reserves is the ACT government planning to deprive us of?
    The Callum Brae reserve has become very popular recently, and has supported the physical and mental wellbeing of many Canberrans during the lockdown. This is an asset that should be protected at all cost.
    I therefore strongly oppose the proposed development.

29. The protection of reserves within the ACT should be paramount. This reserve by the ACT Gov’s own wording is an important area. For trees as well as wildlife and insects. Surely it being one of the largest areas of endangered yellow box-red gum grassy woodlands should be something we celebrate and protect rather than destroy?
    Please do not proceed with this development.

30. My husband enjoys walking with a stick on the safe tracks whilst birdwatching. I enjoy photographing the plants and landforms. It is an inappropriate location for a crematorium which surely would affect the enjoyment of this natural bushland so easily accessible from the suburbs .

31. My husband enjoys walking with a stick on the safe tracks whilst birdwatching. I enjoy photographing the plants and landforms. It is an inappropriate location for a crematorium which surely would affect the enjoyment of this natural bushland so easily accessible from the suburbs .

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