The Church Campbell Town hangs by thread over parking dispute
A Tasmanian businesswoman and her husband have invested hundreds of thousands reviving a heritage-listed church. They want to open their new business, but there is a $200K roadblock.
Tasmania
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A Tasmanian businesswoman says her proposed cafe and function centre at a heritage-listed Midlands church built in 1857 will be unviable if council sticks to its demands she construct a car park as part of the project, a step she estimates would cost at least $200,000.
Northern Midlands Council has countered by noting it is a standard requirement that development proponents stump up for carparking.
The dispute between Nicole and Garry Graham and NMC relates to the former St Andrews Presbyterian Church at 55 High St, Campbell Town, which the Grahams purchased in November, 2014.
Ms Graham said she and her husband, who have owned a string of successful businesses, have plunged approximately $300–$400,000 into refurbishing the church, grounds and associated buildings such as the hall, with the intention of returning it to the public via the construction of an on-site cafe and gift shop.
The Church – their new business – would also host functions such as weddings and wakes, and be put forward as a destination for bus tours. It would employ 10-plus locals, Ms Graham said.
However, Ms Graham said the project will be canned if council sticks to its insistence the Grahams construct an 11-space sealed carpark and associated infrastructure on Bridge St to service the development.
She said the council verges on Bridge and Pedder streets had been used informally for parking since time immemorial – particularly when the entrance to Campbell Town Pool was on Bridge St.
“Our current gravel parking area is far more in keeping with our heritage scope and has been working continually for four-plus years with no incidents or issues to either owners or those parking or using the roadway,” Ms Graham said.
“If these parking demands are upheld, we will have to withdraw from the project after extensive money on its development has already been spent.
“I would prefer to see council supporting new businesses, not greatly hindering them.”
In response, Northern Midlands Mayor Mary Knowles said council’s treatment of the Grahams was not exceptional.
“For example, the proponents of a new building on the Anglican Church site in High St were required to provide 55 car parks on-site, The Grange’s meeting room and function centre provided 32 spaces on-site and the Banjo’s redevelopment provided 24 spaces on-site,” she said.
“For this development, as per the applicant’s own traffic management study, the developer was required to provide 39 car parks.”
Mayor Knowles said the Grahams had the ability to put their case at a full meeting of council, but this had yet to be taken up.
“It (would then be) up to councillors who can either agree with... the proponent’s preferred option, the (11-space) alternative compromise proposal, or to make some other decision. However, to date council has not received a formal request,” Mayor Knowles said.
Originally published as The Church Campbell Town hangs by thread over parking dispute
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