After a public outcry over plans to convert the historic Mulgoa estate into a cemetery, the New South Wales government has stepped in and bought Fernhill for $27.5 million.
The NSW Government has spent $27.5 million to buy historic Fernhill Estate, which lies at Mulgoa on the outskirts of Sydney.
The government acquisition brings to an end last year's controversial plans by Rookwood Cemeteries to buy the property and turn it into a cemetery.
Sydney faces a critical shortage of burial sites, with Cemeteries and Crematoria NSW predicting there will be no burial sites left in Sydney by 2050.
In August last year, the NSW government approved the purchase of Wallacia Golf Course by Catholic Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust for conversion into a cemetery. Wallacia is the adjoining suburb to Mulgoa.
The Rookwood proposal stirred up fierce opposition within the local Mulgoa community.
The property was first listed for sale in 2016 with an asking price of $30 million. The vendor was Angas Securities, which sold the property as a mortgagee-in-possession sale.
View the listing for Fernhill Estate on The Real Estate Conversation.
The Minister for Western Sydney and Member for Penrith, Stuart Ayres, said the purchase of the 385-hectare site for community green space is a "coup" for Western Sydney.
“The ability to combine heritage, regional open space and a gateway to the Blue Mountains National Park creates a strong tourism opportunity that will be boosted by the development of Western Sydney Airport,” he said.
Member for Mulgoa, Tanya Davies, said bringing this historic estate into public hands has delivered a massive win for her community.
"Fernhill Estate homestead is a colonial treasure built in 1842 surrounded by Cumberland Plain Woodland, which will provide a haven for threatened species and create a green gateway to the world heritage listed Blue Mountains National Park,” she said.
Fernhill is located next to Mulgoa Village, and consists of the heritage-listed homestead, another home, outbuildings, gardens, lakes, paddocks, equine facilities, and a two-kilometre horse race track.
Settlement is likely to occur within the next three months, according to a statement from the government.
State agencies have not yet developed plans for the estate.
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