 The continuing expense of maintenance led finally to the first suggestion of closure of the cemetery in 1971 and the eventual transfer of the land from the Church to Parramatta City Council in 1975 pursuant with the Conversion of Cemeteries Act, 1974.Notice of closure had appeared in the Parish Bulletin on 30 January 1972 and 6 February 1972.But on 5 May 1974 Parramatta City Council refused to accept trusteeship if St Patrick's was to remain a cemetery.