Debate over natural burial idea heats up - Local News - News - General - The Daily Advertiser

Debate over natural burial idea heats up - Local News - News - General - The Daily Advertiser.

DEBATE over the proposed natural burial study heated up last night after councillor Clint Uden labelled the practice "21st century paganism".

The topic was a controversial motion from councillor Ray Goodlass at Wagga City Council's full meeting and was attacked by Cr Uden and Cr Kevin Wales. Following the discussion, the motion was passed, six votes to two, with several councillors standing up to back the idea.

However, it was Cr Uden's short but sharp attack on the idea that got the meeting's attention. "Surely, this is 21st century paganism, it is certainly not Christian," he said. "In death people should be given dignity and respect. I think the idea is absolutely absurd."

Cr Wales said natural burial was a practice more akin to the communities of Byron Bay and Nimbin than Wagga. "They are a different sort of people to those in Wagga. Any study, I believe, would be a waste of council's time as community members who want to bury their loved ones with dignity would not accept this idea," he said.

Cr Goodlass defended the idea, saying it was far from a north coast hippy notion. "Natural burial is becoming more mainstream, it is now an accepted practice in Western Australia, NSW, Victoria and Tasmania," he said.