Police are warning road users of changed traffic conditions as part of a repatriation ceremony that will see Australians returned from the Terendak Military Cemetery in Malaysia this week, NSW Police say.
In May 2015, The Hon. Tony Abbott MP, announced the government’s decision to offer repatriation of Australian Military and civilian personnel who are currently interred at Terendak Military Cemetery in Malaysia, and Kranji Cemetery in Singapore.
The offer was extended to families of Australian servicemen, seven Australian dependants, including children of the servicemen, and the first Australian who died in the Vietnam War; 33 families accepted the offer.
They will now return home to Australia on Thursday morning (2 June 2016), and land at the Royal Australian Air Force Base (RAAF) in Richmond, where a private service will take place.
Following the service, a procession of 33 hearses will begin – under NSW Police escort – that will make its way from Richmond via a green light corridor, through the Parramatta CBD, before concluding in western Sydney.
Operation Yunga – comprising General Duties police and specialist units including the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Mounted Unit, Dog Unit and PolAir – will be established to provide a highly-visible and mobile policing response throughout the repatriation and subsequent procession.
A number of road closures will be in place to facilitate the movement of the funeral procession via the green light corridor – which will then be progressively reopened as it continues to make its way through western Sydney.
Operation Yunga Commander, Detective Superintendent Gavin Dengate, said police have been working closely with the Department of Veteran Affairs and other government stakeholders to facilitate a safe and dignified procession for those Australians returning home.
"The repatriation is about remembering those who fought, endured and died in service to their country," Det Supt Dengate said.
"We want the community to commemorate the occasion safely, and are reminding everyone to be respectful at all times."
Members of the public are advised that police may restrict vehicle access to roadways along the proposed procession route, which will include residents and businesses.
"There will be temporary rolling road closures to facilitate the movement of the procession, via the green light corridor," Det Supt Dengate said.
"Police will be progressively reopening roads along the route to minimise any impact on local residents and businesses, road users and the wider community.
"I’d ask those affected to please exercise patience, allow extra travel time, and obey all directions from police and traffic controllers," Det Supt Dengate said.
Visit www.livetraffic.com or call the Traffic Information Line on 132 701 for more information about road closures and ongoing traffic advice.
The public is welcome to pay their respects and will have an opportunity to view the funeral procession as it makes its way through Parramatta CBD.
The community is encouraged to view the procession via Church Street, George Street, Station Street and Smith Street – in the Parramatta CBD – which is expected to arrive between 12.45pm and 1.15pm.
"While members of the public are welcome to view the procession, we’d like to remind both pedestrians and motorists to be aware of the responsibilities and make sure you’re travelling with care," Det Supt Dengate said.
"Pedestrians and drivers need to share the roadways but it’s important that pedestrians always use the footpath and only cross where there are traffic control points.
"Drivers should also be vigilant when travelling through areas with heavy pedestrian traffic – particularly the Parramatta CBD – by slowing down and watching out," Det Supt Dengate said.
Reinterment services will take place in every State and Territory across Australia, except Tasmania, over the following weeks, in accordance with the families’ wishes.
For more information about the repatriation, visit the Department of Veterans’ Affairs homepage: http://www.dva.gov.au/commemorations-memorials-and-war-graves/cemeteries/australians-reunited-terendak-repatriation-2-june.
