Arabic version: مدرسة تاسمانية تأمر بإخراج القبور لمشروع توسعة

A Catholic school in Deloraine, in northern Tasmania, faces scrutiny as it plans to develop new facilities over a site believed to contain the remains of at least 355 individuals buried between 1861 and 1936. The Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School was recently declared “not a cemetery” by the Office of Local Government, a ruling that has sparked outrage among local historical groups and residents.

According to ABC News, the historical group argues that the ruling disrespects the memory of those buried at the site and could lead to the disturbance of human remains. Mark Butson and Kerensa Grigson, members of a Deloraine historical group, expressed their discontent, stating that the graves should be protected and that the church has failed to honor its commitment to safeguard these burial sites.

The ruling allows the Catholic Church to proceed with its development plans, provided it first attempts to locate and exhume any remains. However, concerns persist regarding the effectiveness of existing methods, such as ground-penetrating radar, which may not adequately identify graves in the area’s clay soil. Critics fear that new buildings could be constructed over undiscovered remains.

Local officials, including Meander Valley Mayor Wayne Johnston, acknowledge the community’s desire for school upgrades while also recognizing the concerns surrounding the graves. The Office of Local Government has instructed the church to erect a memorial plaque listing the names of those buried on the grounds, a move that some locals welcome as a step towards honoring the site’s history.

Despite the plans for development, Butson and Grigson advocate for preserving the current school structure, insisting that no new buildings should be erected over the burial site. Their plea reflects a broader sentiment within the community about respecting the legacy of the deceased and maintaining the sanctity of the former cemetery.