A widow is deeply concerned that she may not be able to be buried next to her husband of nearly five decades on their own land, due to environmental regulations.
Gaye Wheatley, aged 76, has called the expansive 4,700-acre farm near West Wyalong in central New South Wales her home for many years. Together with her late husband, Ned, she nurtured native mallee-broombush and eucalyptus trees for brush fencing and oil production.
Her concern arises from the possibility that she won’t be able to join Ned and her grandson in their final resting place because the burial sites are situated within a ‘pink mapping’ zone. This designation enforces stringent land-use policies to safeguard endangered plant species.
“Ned passed away in 2006 and was interred on our farm after we secured the necessary approval from Bland Shire Council. My grandson rests there as well,” Gaye shared with the Daily Mail.
The mallee-broombush is recognized as a critically endangered ecological community, imposing significant limitations on any land clearing or disturbances within its habitat.
“This regulation was introduced by the NSW Government around 2018,” explained Annabelle Davis, a spokesperson for Landholders’ Right to Farm, during a conversation with Ben Fordham on 2GB. “It effectively prevents any alterations to one’s land.”
‘By law, you are not allowed to pick, pluck, disturb the areaa… Anytime Ms Wheatley mows the lawn on the area that is “pink”, she is, in effect, breaking the law.’
Ms Wheatley says the changes, introduced in about 2018, have made it impossible to manage the land that her family has worked for generations.
Farmer Gaye Wheatley (pictured) fears she won’t be buried on her farm near West Wyalong in New South Wales, due to restrictions on land-use where native plant mallee-broombush grows
One of Ms Wheatley’s grandchildren and her late husband Ned are buried on her farm
‘It leaves me with a feeling of bewilderment. This is getting ridiculous that a freehold land and approved burial site cannot be used,’ the life-long farmer said.
‘My husband worked so hard. He had this vision, he was such an environmentalist – but now, with this restriction, it’s all falling apart,’ she said.
‘We took nothing from the land but rejuvenated it. About 2,000 acres are under the pink critically endangered zoning. We haven’t been able to do anything to the trees – it’s grown out of proportion.’
The retired farmer said the restrictions have gutted her income and driven her family away from the property.
‘Everyone used to be out here, but they’ve had to go off and find other work,’ she said. ‘It’s been very sad to see, it’s left my farm a bit lonely. What sort of country are we living in?’
But NSW Minister for Climate Change, Energy, Heritage and the Environment Penny Sharpe has told the Daily Mail the state government the burial can take place.
‘The department has also assured me that they are ready to undertake a rapid on-site review, to update the mapping and address Mrs Wheatley’s broader concerns about inaccurately mapped broom bush,’ the minister said.
‘We will make sure that this is clarified again over the phone with Mrs Wheatley to avoid any further stress or confusion.
Ned Wheatley’s family have farmed in the area for over 100 years, including cultivating and regenerating mallee-broombush across 4700 acres
Ned Wheatley (pictured) was married to Gaye in 1976 until his death in 2006
‘I have been assured that Mrs Wheatley can be buried next to her husband, pending the usual council approvals,’ Sharpe said.
‘She is also able to maintain the graves on site.’
The Daily Mail has contacted Bland Shire Council for comment.
