Arabic version: مقبرة كامبيل تاون ممتلئة، والسكان يبحثون عن خيارات دفن جديدة

The Anglican church in Campbell Town, Tasmania, has exhausted all its cemetery space, leaving locals without a place to be buried. This situation arose after the church sold land to develop new social and affordable housing. According to ABC News, the Catholic church in the area has some available plots but is reserving them for individuals of the Catholic faith.

Residents like Sally Hills, who has lived in Campbell Town her entire life, are now facing the distressing reality of not being able to be buried in their hometown. Hills expressed her disbelief and sadness, stating that she always assumed she would be laid to rest alongside her family in Campbell Town.

The issue of burial space, while common in densely populated areas, has taken many Campbell Town residents by surprise. Hills noted that the realization of the cemetery’s closure hit home for the community, as they grapple with the emotional impact of potentially being buried far from their roots.

Local resident David Gatenby has brought this pressing issue to the attention of the Northern Midlands Council, advocating for the establishment of a public cemetery. He highlighted that the Anglican cemetery is chock-a-block and that residents are unhappy with the alternative of being buried in nearby Ross, which is 15 kilometers away.

The Northern Midlands Council, however, has stated that there is currently no available land for a new cemetery. Mayor Mary Knowles mentioned the possibility of seeking land donations from local ratepayers but expressed uncertainty about the future solutions for the community’s burial needs. Residents continue to hope for a resolution that allows them to remain close to their loved ones in their final resting places.