Metropolitan Memorial Parks Land Manager Board positions reappointed

The NSW Government has reappointed five members on the seven-member Metropolitan Memorial Parks Land Manager Board, to provide continued leadership and stability for the organisation’s network of cemeteries and crematoria across Greater Sydney. 

Metropolitan Memorial Parks is a self-funded statutory land manager under the Crown Land Management Act 2016 and a Crown cemetery operator under the Cemeteries and Crematoria Act 2013.  

In line with government board and committee appointment requirements, current Chairperson, Ken Morrison, as well as board members Mark Bloom, Alice Spizzo, Arthur Diakos, and Professor Roberta Ryan have been extended until 7 December 2029. 

• Ken Morrison will serve a consecutive term as Chairperson of the Board. Ken is also the CEO of the Bradfield Development Corporation with key strengths in leadership, property development, stakeholder engagement, and governance. 

• Mark Bloom draws on over 36-years of experience as a finance executive within the highly regulated real estate and insurance and financial services sectors. Mark has a professional reputation for simplifying complex financial concepts, clear communication and effective stakeholder engagement to deliver business outcomes.

• Alice Spizzo brings a wealth of stakeholder management and legal experience to the Board, having worked across government, business, university and not-for-profit sectors in planning, environmental, property and construction law, public policy, strategy, governance, as well as issues and risk management.

• Arthur Diakos is a recipient of a Public Service Medal in recognition of his achievements in large, complex and high-profile NSW and Commonwealth government organisations. Arthur brings to the Board extensive experience in financial and general management, corporate services, and administration within both commercial and non-commercial environments.

• Professor Roberta Ryan is a widely recognised expert in urban and regional planning, drawing on more than four decades of professional experience. Roberta specialises in integrating multi-disciplinary approaches to deliver successful land use planning solutions, with a focus on the built and natural environments and community. 

• The Hon. Walter Secord and The Hon. David Elliot, whose terms are not expiring, remain members of the Board.

Metropolitan Memorial Parks operates the following facilities on Crown Land: 

• Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park and Crematorium

• Field of Mars Cemetery

• Frenchs Forest Bushland Cemetery

• Gore Hill Memorial Cemetery

• Macquarie Park Cemetery and Crematorium

• Rookwood General Cemetery and Crematorium

• Sandgate Cemetery

• Woronora Memorial Park and Crematorium

 

Reappointing the expiring members and Chairperson maintains continuity of Metropolitan Memorial Parks’ governance structure and will support its continued organisational stability.

Minister for Lands and Property, Steve Kamper said:  

“Metropolitan Memorial Parks operates a substantial proportion of the cemeteries and crematoria on Crown land in Greater Metropolitan Sydney. Ensuring good governance and stability is critical at a time when we must prioritise opportunities to unlock new burial supply while recognising and harnessing the value of our current and future memorial parks as places of remembrance, history, and important green open space within our growing communities.” 

Crown Lands and Public Spaces Deputy Secretary, Joseph La Posta said:

“Our land managers play a critical role in ensuring Crown reserves deliver the maximum possible public benefit for the people of New South Wales. This is especially the case for Metropolitan Memorial Parks which manages and operates cemeteries and crematoria across 8 significant parcels of Crown land within Greater Sydney. I trust that the renewed Board appointments will provide Metropolitan Memorial Parks with the certainty and stability they need to continue their effective land management over the next 3 years and beyond.”

Chair of the Metropolitan Memorial Parks Board, Ken Morrison said:

“I am pleased to continue serving as Chair alongside a Board that brings significant experience, expertise and a strong commitment to the communities we serve. The Board remains focused on providing strong governance and stewardship as Metropolitan Memorial Parks continues to meet the needs of communities today while working closely with government on solutions to Sydney’s burial supply crisis.”

For all media enquiries, please contact media@mmplm.com.au.