Plan for future of Chapman Valley pet cemetery

Barton Smith is 80, and his wife Marjorie 75. They are, to quote them, “getting on”. So the Narra Tarra couple have an exit plan from the love which has become their life — a love shared by thousands. The Smiths own and operate the Shalom Pet Cemetery on Chapman Valley Road. Some 2200 pets have been buried there since it opened 25 years ago. “We get many owners visiting and also many tourists stop,” they wrote in a letter to the Shire of Chapman Valley. “Many members of the Chapman Valley Shire and Geraldton community have pets interred at the cemetery and we feel their ability to continue to visit is an important community service. “We therefore need to make arrangements for the protection of the pet cemetery, so these are ready to go when the times comes to put the property on the market.” With that in mind, the couple have asked the Shire to place a covenant on the pet cemetery area for 50 years. “It should be noted our request does not entail the Shire continuing to operate the pet cemetery as a going concern, rather enable continued public access to the cemetery and protecting existing graves. “We request the Shire agree to the registration of a restrictive covenant and easement, with the Shire as the beneficiary of these.” Chapman Valley councillors agreed on a staff recommendation to “give further consideration” to the request — subject to a solicitor for the landowners preparing relevant documentation. When such documentation is received, the Shire will refer it to its solicitor for review and comment, before it returns to the council for discussion.