Australian Capital Territory

Cemeteries and Crematoria (Public Cemetery Fees) Determination 2014 (No 1)
Disallowable Instrument DI 2014 –188
made under the
Cemeteries and Crematoria Act 2003, Section 49 (Determination of fees)

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

The Cemeteries and Crematoria Act 2003 (the Act) regulates the operation of cemeteries and crematoria.  Section 49 of the Act provides the Minister with the power to determine fees for the purposes of the Act.

Public cemeteries and crematoria are managed by the ACT Public Cemeteries Authority (the Authority).  The Authority is required to operate on a sound financial basis.

This determination revokes the previous fee determination (DI2013-165) which set the Authority’s fees from 1 July 2013. A new fee determination, with increases, is being made to align with the financial year. 

Generally, the total effect of fee increases is a rise of 9.5% for a complete burial service. This meets the need to bring the fees into line with the requirements of the Perpetual Care Trust Funds arrangements in the Act. 

Ancillary and part burial service fees have increased by 2.6 %. 

All crypts in the current Mausoleum are sold. Fees for the Mausoleum have risen at higher rates to reflect market price for 272 new crypts in an extension of the current mausoleum. This extension is expected to be completed by mid-2015. Prior to completion these crypts will be sold off the plan at a discount of 10%. A new option, columbarium niches will be offered in the new extension. 

New fees have been proposed in part 4 for additional services. 

The new fee determination takes effect from 1 July 2014.