By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
BERWICK Cemetery management is hoping it can permanently come to the aid of its Harkaway counterpart with a proposal in the works to amalgamate the two cemetery trusts.
The chairmen of both the Berwick and Harkaway Cemetery trusts will propose the amalgamation, which would see both cemeteries under the same board of management, at a public consultation meeting to be held on Monday 19 May, with the new board of management to be known as the Berwick and Harkaway Cemeteries Trust.
Harkaway Cemetery Trust chairman Neil Lucas said amalgamating the two trusts would ensure the Harkaway Cemetery, which held only 20 interments a year compared to Berwick’s estimated 128 in 2013, would be financially sustainable.
He said new cemetery regulations, particularly in relation to occupational health and safety, had seen the Harkaway trust already formally engage the help of the Berwick trust to assist with its funeral services in recent times.
“We were aware that Berwick, who have been providing advice and support to us over the years, had a sufficiently sized operation to be aware of all the requirements for all the situations that arise so we looked at the potential of us getting closer to them in our operations,” Mr Lucas said.
“It seemed a logical step to move towards amalgamation.
“Our trust resolved that we’d work towards amalgamating with them, that was some time ago and both trusts have now conducted due diligence on each other to ensure the financial position of each trust is in compliance with the rules, importantly satisfying ourselves that an amalgamation would be a benefit to everyone.”
But Mr Lucas stressed that the amalgamation is in no way guaranteed, with any formal proposal to be subject to the health department’s approval.
The Harkaway and Berwick Cemetery trusts currently has six government-appointed trust members apiece, and under an amalgamation it is proposed the new entity will have seven members.
Berwick Cemetery Trust chairman Don Moyes was confident the amalgamation would be supported by the community.
“Neil was concerned with the smallness of Harkaway and we were concerned if it would become viable in the future, the cost of running a cemetery is very expensive,” Mr Moyes said.
“(But) it’s a history thing and I think it’s essential that the Harkaway Cemetery services the people of Harkaway.
“You’ve got a certain amount of keenness on both sides, and I think we can help Harkaway.”
The public consultation meeting will take place on Monday 19 May at the Berwick RSL in Langmore Lane, and for more information contact the Harkaway Cemetery Trust on 0439 184 074.
