People would pay $80,000 to have their dead bodies frozen under a plan to set up Australia’s first cryonics storage centre at Holbrook.
A proposal to establish a warehouse, for bodies preserved in liquid nitrogen in anticipation of being brought back to life through medical improvements, is being considered by the Greater Hume Shire.
It is the idea of Statis Systems Australia, a company formed through ten investors each contributing $50,000.
The firm’s secretary, Matt Fisher, said Holbrook was chosen for logistical reasons.
“The Hume Highway has liquid nitrogen deliveries all along it and we wanted somewhere that was geographically stable and safe from floods, fires and earthquakes and somewhere away from the big cities to make it economically appealing,” Mr Fisher said.
“The land at Holbrook met all those requirements and the council have been very helpful.”
Mr Fisher said a block in Enterprise Drive cost $57,000 and $200,000 to $300,000 would go on fitting it out.
He said if planning and regulatory approvals went as expected the building could be operative by June 2017.
Greater Hume mayor Heather Wilton expected the shire to support the plan at its April or May meeting.
“There hasn’t been any adverse comment whatsoever, there’s surprise, but I haven’t had anyone rush up and knock me off my feet because it’s a stupid idea,” Cr Wilton said of the public response.
The Holbrook resident said the idea of having her body frozen did not appeal.
“I won’t be lining up, it’s not something that rattles my cage,” Cr Wilton said.
“It’s an interesting concept…I’ve researched it a fair bit and I think it will be an interesting addition to what we offer in Greater Hume Shire.”
Mr Fisher said life insurance was likely to be used by participants.
“There’s no ongoing cost,” Mr Fisher said.
“There’s the one-off payment of around about $80,000 and that goes into an interest-bearing investment to pay for ongoing storage costs which are primarily liquid nitrogen top-ups.
“They are currently about $200 to $300 a year.”
Mr Fisher said those interested simply wanted to continue to live.
“The central thrust of cryonics is that medical progress and medical technology will continue to improve, barring some global disaster and the capabilities of future technology are difficult to put an upper limit on,” Mr Fisher said.
“There were people saying heavier than air flight was impossible after the Wright brothers had flown.
“I find that anyone who says something is impossible is proven wrong in the long run.”