RESIDENTS in a quiet part of Forest Hills say they have been let down not once, but twice, by Tamworth Regional Council after its approval of a new church in their neighbourhood.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Tamworth Regional councillors on Tuesday night approved the Exclusive Brethren development on the corner of Sequoia Dr and Whiporie Cl, but only after a change to the original recommendation from council staff.
The approval is subject to a raft of conditions aimed at addressing the concerns of nearby residents, who made 48 written submissions to the council highlighting lighting impacts, increased traffic and loss of privacy.
But the condition that local residents considered most important – the hours of operation on a Sunday – was amended by councillors at Tuesday’s meeting.
Sequoia Dr resident Rebecca Boresch told The Leader yesterday that it was a “kick in the guts” after the recent news of a significant rise in their rates this financial year.
The original recommendation included a condition that on Sunday services would begin at 8.45am, with vehicles allowed to start arriving from 8am.
But, councillors instead agreed to amend that to a 6am service start, and cars arriving from 5.15am, after an appeal from Brethren members.
The amended approval was given the nod by all councillors (Cr James Treloar was absent), with the exception of councillor Mark Rodda, with a number of those in favour saying they had reconsidered their position after hearing from church members.
The council gallery was filled to capacity with local residents and members of the Exclusive Brethren, with speakers from both sides addressing council prior to the final decision.
Ms Boresch spoke at Tuesday’s meeting, urging councillors to accept the recommendation as it stood.
“Let’s just say everyone is very disappointed that only one councillor stood firm,” she said.
“This decision, combined with the increase in rates, is not instilling in us a lot of confidence in the council.”
She said residents accepted the development was permissible in the area, and felt the later starting time on a Sunday was a “good compromise” when it came to addressing their concerns.
“The traffic noise that early in the morning, the headlight glare – we just feel it’s very unfair.”
Julian Jensen, representing the Exclusive Brethren, told council during the community consultation session that the only condition they had issue with was the Sunday starting time, describing it as “unfairly restrictive”.
He said it was part of church tradition for worshippers to begin their service at 6am on a Sunday and questioned council’s right to impose such a condition.
Mr Jensen said they would agree to further noise-mitigation measures around the church if that’s what it took to have the earlier time approved, with council adding this to the conditions of consent.
Councillor Juanita Wilson said she had initially thought the later starting time was a “reasonable compromise”, but, after hearing from the applicant, “appreciated their position”.
Councillor Helen Tickle said at their other places of worship around the city, “you wouldn’t know anyone was there”.
The $250,000 project includes a 134sqm, single-storey meeting hall and 35-space car park.
