**Carnarvon Golf Course Faces Potential Conversion to Cemetery** Residents of western Sydney are expressing concern over a proposal to convert the Carnarvon Golf Course into a cemetery. The 45-hectare site, which has been a cherished location for golfers for over 25 years, is now being considered by the government as a solution to the city's growing need for burial plots. Sid Sagdic, a 60-year-old golfer with a handicap of three, has spent decades enjoying the course and building friendships there. He argues that the decision to place a cemetery in such a central location does not make sense. "There's plenty of land out west near the new airport they're building," Sagdic said. "To put it smack bang in the middle of central Sydney doesn't make sense." Carnarvon Golf Course Club manager Adam McGregor highlighted the potential job losses and the impact on the community. He stated that 30 jobs would be lost and that the green space, which serves hundreds of members aged 14 to 95, would disappear. Metropolitan Memorial Parks, the state body overseeing the cemetery project, claims the site would also include recreational activities such as walking and biking trails, artificial lakes, and cafes. However, McGregor questioned the appropriateness of hosting events like weddings in a cemetery setting. Local resident Mohamed Hassan, a 22-year-old retail worker, criticized the proposal as culturally insensitive. "It is disrespectful for Muslims who are buried in white shrouds, let alone the living. It's desecrating the dead," he said. Concerns have also been raised about the government's consultation process. NSW Land and Sport Minister Steve Kamper acknowledged the need for innovative solutions but faced criticism for dismissing community concerns. "Like all government operations, we sometimes re-imagine the way we present our facilities and our cemeteries," he told parliament. Kamper stated that the government had examined a thousand locations before selecting Carnarvon. If approved, the cemetery would be located near Rookwood, the largest necropolis in the Southern Hemisphere. Local politicians, including federal MP Jason Clare, have voiced their disapproval, suggesting that alternative sites should be considered. Councillor Paul Garrard described the consultation process as flawed, stating, "I believe C stands for cover-up because the consultation system is flawed." Premier Chris Minns emphasized the urgency of addressing the burial plot shortage, stating, "No one's done anything about burial plots for decades, and it's got to this incredibly acute position today. We're trying to fix that." A spokesperson for Kamper confirmed that no final decision has been made regarding the proposal. Public submissions on the matter are set to close soon, and residents have organized rallies to express their opposition, with around 1,000 people attending one event earlier this month. Denise Ora, CEO of the memorial parks body, assured that the consultation process would be transparent and inclusive. However, local government employee Gaya Arasaratnam expressed concern that the needs of communities affected by conflict are not being adequately addressed. "To be sandwiched between two cemeteries will be another death-related cue near home and that can re-trigger trauma and it falls hardest on women," she explained. Ora stated that if the project proceeds, it will involve ongoing engagement with community and faith leaders to ensure cultural sensitivities are respected.