Crematorium plan worries neighbours

FUNERAL home Morleys is expanding, with plans for a crematorium at its West End site.

The proposal is subject to a development application and material change of use permit from the Townsville Council, which requires public to be notified.

The process allows adjoining or nearby property owners to look at the proposal on the council’s website, consider any impacts it might have and provide comment before a decision is made.

According to the application, the proposal involves a cremator in a separate building constructed adjacent to Mor- City the leys’ main funeral home. It says the cremator will be fitted with abatement equipment such as filters that remove pollutants.

“The pollution control system will eliminate any visible emissions and odours,” the application says.

“The cremator is a completely sealed unit and any emissions are pollutant free and will be removed via a Whirly Bird on the roof of the proposed building. The existing landscaping will screen the building and provide adequate buffer from the proposed building.”

West End resident Jeff Nielsen said a lot of residents in the area were concerned about the proposal and annoyed they had not been told about it.

“They are concerned at the lack of information that was readily available and concerned about how values and general reputation of the area might be affected,” he said.

The family- owned funeral home has been continuing to invest in the business with the recent addition of a function room alongside its Lakes Chapel and has expanded car parking with another 80 spaces.

Public submissions on the crematorium plan are open until April 4.

Morleys declined ment on the plans. to com-