Concerns over new cremator

THE owner of a controversial pet crematorium located close to houses says he chose the site because Toowoomba Regional Council officers told him to set up there.

Councillors voted for Pets in Peace to set up a cremator and funeral parlour on Vanity St in Rockville at a special meeting on Wednesday.

While it is in the correct zoning of low-impact industrial, the planned crematorium is just two metres away from the nearest building and close to several houses.

According to applicant Martin Hopp, the service would operate during daytime hours six days a week and only cremate smaller animals, with larger creatures like livestock to be handled at his larger base in Loganholme.

When Cr Bill Cahill asked Mr Hopp why he chose the site, the applicant said he was told to go there by council officers.

“I went there because council told me to,” he said.

“I rang up council, and said I wanted to come to Toowoomba, and I was told to go to these areas.”

TRC planner Krys den Hertog responded to the comments, saying planning officers actually recommended he chose a different site to set up.

“A crematorium is code-assessable in two zones under the planning scheme – the low-impact industrial zone and the community facilities zone,” he said.

“At the pre-lodgement meeting, we strongly advised the applicant look at other sites that further away from houses and other properties.”

Submitters against the project were represented by a rival pet cremator, Beric Lee of Pets RIP, who voiced his concerns about its proximity to other properties and key locations.

During debate, Cr Cahill voted against the proposal, arguing for a common sense decision.

Cr James O’Shea spoke in favour of the application, saying the zoning was correct and it met the assessment benchmarks.