The Bachelor Australia 2017‘s Elora Murger‘s crematorium business, Coastal Crematoriums, has sparked disputes with neighbours, who claim they’re developing “health issues” from the fumes.
Earlier this year, the business, of which the former reality star is the director, moved into an industrial complex in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
However, during the August 25 episode of A Current Affair, it was reported that an “unsettling substance” from the crematorium had entered surrounding properties and cars.
Dan McKay, a mechanic who works next door to the business, said the fumes were “horrific”.
“It’s not a nice smell at all … your eyes are watering all the time,” he said. “The ash … comes into [my] workshop and it lands all over the cars.”
John Kelly, who also works nearby, said he had to sweep up the substances produced by the crematorium daily.
“I end up (with) major coughing fits,” John told A Current Affair. “I’ve had X-rays, my lungs are inflamed from the fumes and whatever else is coming through.
“I literally can’t bear it anymore because I now have health issues from this.”
The Bachelor‘s Elora Murger’s crematorium business allegedly emits human ashes
Additionally, Jason McGarry, who owns a landscaping business next to the crematorium, was forced to relocate his staff due to health concerns.
He also forked out $4,500 to test the particles that’d been coming from the crematorium.
“It confirmed our suspicions that the ash… did actually contain organic matter,” he explained.
An environmental scientist backed him up, telling A Current Affair that the matter could’ve been “cremated human remains” or “burnt coffins”, but additional testing needed to be done for a definitive read.
However, Australasian Cemeteries and Crematoria Association Vice President David Molloy said the byproduct was more likely to be a “burn-off of the container that the body is cremated in”.
Allegedly, the company complies with all building regulations, according to Sunshine Coast Council.
It’s also believed that the Council gave approval for a second furnace to be built at the facility.
Elora denies ‘allegations’ of ‘by-products and odours’
In a statement, a spokesperson from the crematorium told A Current Affair that the Council is “responding to concerns raised by neighbouring businesses”.
“This has included odour monitoring and liaising with the crematorium operator,” it read.
“The crematorium is complying with noise and air quality conditions and environmental performance standards.”
Another statement on behalf of Elora addressed that her business is “operating to the highest ethical and legal standards” and that all the “necessary approvals” were obtained for “carrying out of cremation services at its current premises”.
“Any allegations of by-products and odours are completely unfounded,” it concluded.
Want even more goss? Listen to the So Dramatic! podcast with Megan Pustetto below!
Know something that we don’t? Spill the tea here!
Get the tea first! Follow So Dramatic! on Instagram and tune in on Mondays to get your reality tea fix with the So Dramatic! podcast with Megan Pustetto.
