Pastor defends ‘mega church’ proposal at centre of countryside quarrel

The pastor of a church at the centre of a controversial countryside proposal has rebutted fears a tight-knit town will be tarnished by a “mega church”.

Proposed Dayboro Church. Picture: Novum Pty Ltd

The pastor of a church at the centre of a controversial countryside proposal has rebutted fears a tight-knit town will be tarnished by a “mega church”.

More than 1500 people have signed a petition opposing Dayboro Church’s development application to call a paddock at Kings Scrub its new home.

Increased noise, “traffic disasters”, pollution and even flooding impacts have been cited among dozens of submissions lodged against the proposal with Moreton Bay Regional Council.

But pastor Gary Levens said he is confident those fears won’t be realised if the council approves the application for a material change of use, operational works and an advertising device on Mt Mee Rd.

“There are fears of it becoming a ‘mega church’ with round-the-clock services and activities. That’s just not going to happen,” Mr Levens said.

“We love being a small faith community with a family emphasis.

“It is our intention to leave the existing shed looking pretty much as it is so that the church maintains a rustic look in keeping with its original life as a dairy farm.”

The proposed Dayboro Church site on Mt Mee Rd. Picture: Google Images

Mr Levens said about 35 cars arrived at their Sunday morning service currently held at Dayboro School Hall and while the church comprises about 180 people, only half turned up on Sundays.

The church has been congregating for nine years at the hall which has no airconditioning.

A public notification period ended on Monday for the development application which stated up to 250 people could attend various services at the new site throughout the week.

The prospect has caused panic across the surrounding neighbourhood who feel like their quiet country lifestyle is at threat.

Mt Mee Rd resident Kelly Gurski was worried the change brought by a busy church could mean Dayboro would no longer be thought of as Greater Brisbane’s “best kept secret”.

“I think it will be noisy because Dayboro is like an amphitheatre with mountains all around us.

“If someone is having a party in Dayboro we can hear it because it just echoes throughout the valley.”

Dayboro Church plans to play music at most Sunday services which will include an electric piano, electric drums and an electric guitar.

But the application vows there will be volume control with cladding and insulation in the building, and a 1.8m timber fence.

The church asserted no major events or gatherings would be held at the site.

But Ms Gurski believes expected traffic for the weekend services alone is enough to make residents uneasy.

Her fears for horse riders, runners and walkers on the narrow road were shared by another resident who was surprised by the support for her Change.org petition titled “Say NO to the Mega Church in Rural Dayboro”.

The creator, who asked her name be omitted, believes the petition resonated with so many people because residents expected a certain lifestyle when moving to rural neighbourhoods.

“When the application came up we thought it was crazy because why would you put anything on that corner? It’s a recipe for disaster,” she said.

“It’s very narrow and windy with blind corners and where they want to put their driveway, you won’t be able to see anyone pulling out.

“ … It means there could be 57 plus cars coming out of that and down Fingerboard Rd which could smack right into me and my daughter while we’re crossing the one-lane bridge with our horses.”

A Traffic Impact Assessment by PSA Consulting found the proposal to have no obvious impact on the use of the surrounding road network, estimating an increased delay at the intersection as less than 5 per cent.

The petition creator said the community had no problem with the church or religion but believe it could find a more suitable site.

Moreton Bay Regional Council received more than 270 submissions regarding the development during public notification from March 14 to April 4.

A spokesman from the council said while the Change.org petition was not lodged during the public notification period, the assessing officer would consider all submissions made outside the notification period.

“We urge all residents to come forward and provide their feedback as soon as possible,” he said.

“However submissions made outside the notification period will not receive any appeal rights once the application is determined.”

The council will review each submission and consider the points made in accordance with the Planning Scheme and associated legislation.

A site inspection will also be carried out to consider potential impacts.