Church sell-off dilemma

Concern some buildings may be ‘impossible to sell’

LEGISLATION that requires churches in which bodies are buried to be treated as cemeteries could complicate the sale of historic Anglican churches such as St Mary’s at Kempton.

While classifying a church as a cemetery would not necessarily prevent it being sold, the property would have to be managed within the guidelines of the new Burial and Cremations Act. That would make it a much less attractive real estate proposition.

Lyons Federal Labor MP Jen Butler said learning that the body of Reverend W.M. Trollope was buried under St Mary’s foundation stone in 1863 had prompted her to write to the regulator of Burials and Cremations.

“This information should classify the church as a cemetery, making the site almost impossible to sell under the Act. I have written to the regulator requesting the change in classification, urging for them to make the right call,” Mr Butler said.

Attorney-General Elise Archer said Labor seemed to not understand the legalisation that passed the Parliament last week.

“When the amended Act is proclaimed, regulations will be made that deem such properties [where bodies may be interned or buried underneath churches] to be cemeteries for the purpose of the Act,” Ms Archer said.

“All cemetery manager obligations and protections will then apply to such properties, enforced by the Regulator.”

The Anglican Church announced on Sunday it would remove a third of the 79 churches on its short list of those to be sold to fund redress commitments.

More than 50 churches will still go on the market and seven of eight churches in the Southern Midlands earmarked for sale remain on the list, with only St Matthias’ Church at Woodsdale spared by the Diocesan Council.

The Southern Midlands Council has asked the council to provide more specific feedback on its submission to have St Mary’s spared.

Anglican Bishop of Tasmania Richard Condie said the Church recognised that churches and cemeteries held significant value within local communities.

“For church properties that are to be sold, we will prioritise solutions that enable these properties to be used by and for members of the local community into the future,” Dr Condie said.

“We will work through any issues associated with the properties as part of the sale process.”

The Church of the Good Shepherd at Hadspen, St Mary’s Church at Hagley and St John the Baptist Church at Ouse will also be regulated as cemeteries following changes to the Act, Ms Butler said.