news, local-news, Catholic Cemeteries Trust, Scenic Hills, Cemetery, Scenic Hills Association, Rob Stokes

A heritage order that could stop any development proposed for the Scenic Hills has been rejected by Heritage Minister Rob Stokes. The NSW Heritage Council had requested an interim heritage order for 280 acres of Campbelltown's Scenic Hills after the Catholic Cemeteries Trust tabled its controversial plan for a 136,000-plot cemetery. Jacqui Kirkby — who owns State Heritage Register-listed Varro Ville homestead and is the Scenic Hills Association spokeswoman — said the land is part of our city's last intact 19th century estate. The NSW Heritage Council requested the order in August after it raised concerns about deteriorating buildings on the site proposed for the cemetery. In its request, the Heritage Council advised the land and outbuildings surrounding the homestead "are potentially of state heritage significance" even though they are not covered by Varro Ville's listing. Heritage Minister Rob Stokes rejected the order, saying the threat to heritage was not "imminent". Ms Kirkby said severe storms had damaged the roof of an early cottage, spurring a second attempt at a heritage order in November. Mr Stokes did not give a reason for knocking back the second order when the Advertiser contacted him. "The minister has determined not to proceed with an interim heritage order while [the Office of Environment and Heritage] works with the property's owner to ensure long term protection of the site," a spokesman said. Mr Stokes said officers had inspected the site and agreed on immediate maintenance, including securing the roof. Ms Kirkby said the Office of Environment and Heritage had "effectively been muzzled" by the refusal. "He's ignoring the Heritage Council's advice and tied the Heritage Division's hands," she said. "The Catholic Cemeteries Trust has no use for these buildings, and has said it doesn't want to put any money into heritage unless it's forced to." A rezoning application to allow the cemetery was rejected by Campbelltown Council earlier this year but an appeal by the Catholic Cemeteries Trust means it is being re-examined by the state government. Campbelltown Liberal MP Bryan Doyle supports the cemetery plan.

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