Wattle Grove residents rally against ‘beacon of death’ funeral home, Seasons, over ‘mental health’ concerns

A Perth mayor has declared NIMBYism is “alive and well” as residents in the eastern suburbs rally against the building of a funeral home, claiming it would be an “inescapable beacon of death”.

A group of Wattle Grove residents have joined forces to oppose the Seasons Funeral parlour and headquarters proposed for the main street, claiming it would “haunt” them every day.

But Seasons boss Vanessa Wilson, while acknowledging the community’s concerns, said: “Maybe it’s just fear of the unknown – I think that’s what’s happening here.”

And City of Kalamunda Mayor Margaret Thomas also hit back, saying NIBMYism was “alive and well in the Hills and everywhere”.

Save Wattle Grove member and resident of 10 years, Andrew Mullane, told The West Australian that residents were concerned the 9293sqm site was too big for the area and would cause “irreversible damage”.

“In short, we don’t want this inescapable beacon of death haunting our everyday lives,” Mr Mullane said.

“It will seriously affect residents’ mental health. It will cause residents to avoid the nearby shops and parklands, affecting local businesses and leading to social isolation.”

Mr Mullane said the parlour would run through the hub of the community, which he described as “very family oriented” with lots of “young kids and families,” including his own.

”We’re very concerned about the effect it will have on our children and their quality of life,” he said.

“It’s going to be the place where they store bodies and distribute them out to cemeteries and crematoriums. So we just think it’s completely inappropriate in a residential area.

“We are in no way opposed to the funeral business. They do an important service… but that’s just about the worst possible place to put it.”

Ms Thomas said councillors wanted to take onboard residents’ concerns but needed to assess each development on its planning merits — or else be overruled by the State Administrative Tribunal or State planners.

“We do listen to our residents who we want them to be happy. But we also see the big picture in that these are the rules,” she said.

The mayor, who is also the outgoing Retirees WA chief executive, disagreed the service would be bad for mental health and said parlours were “quiet and beautifully maintained”.

Ms Thomas said local opposition to development was leading the State Government to increasingly strip councils of planning decisions.

The parlour would include areas for body preparation and fridges, a chapel for 100 mourners, 20 permanent staff and will not include a crematorium.

Seasons Funerals general manager Vanessa Wilson said the company was relocating from Redcliffe — opposite residential homes there — because it had outgrown that facility.

“We appreciate the concerns of the local community of Wattle Grove, and we also understand their emotional response,” Ms Wilson said.

“But we’re like any other business. We have a calling to provide a service to the community to help those who are on their grief journey.

“We carry out our business quietly and discreetly. And we hope that we will be given the opportunity to be a part of Wattle Grove’s growth.”

Ms Wilson said parlours were common in residential areas, and this facility would feature “beautiful gardens” and an open area for the public to walk through.

“There is obviously a public fear of the funeral industry. And it can freak people out. But once we’ve opened, we’ve never had any complaints,” she said.

“I think society has come a long way (in attitudes towards death). And there are a lot of cultures in Perth that have a lot of rituals that are beautiful. We accept all cultures and all religions and those of no religion as well.