Historic church to be razed for suburb’s 19th childcare centre

One of Brisbane’s oldest churches could be demolished to make way for a childcare centre. The plan would also spell trouble for a renowned dance studio.

Former Ashgrove Dance Studio student Megan Venus with studio co-owner Wendy Lowe. The church hall (background) could be redeveloped for a childcare centre. Picture: Renae Droop

The oldest church in Ashgrove in Brisbane’s inner-west will be demolished under a controversial plan which could spell trouble for a renowned 122-year-old dance school.

The Uniting Church’s Moreton Rivers Presbytery has lodged a development application to knock down the 1885-era wooden church on Ashgrove Ave and a church hall.

It would be replaced with a 136-place childcare centre even though there are 17 childcare centres within a 2km radius and another approved at the nearby Highpoint building.

Ashgrove Dance Studio, the oldest dance academy in the country, feared it would struggle to find a suitable home base if it had to move out of the church hall that has been it’s home for 40 years.

The church as it looked in 1908.

A modern extension to the church.

Local Councillor, Steve Toomey has expressed his concern and heritage experts said they were appalled.

“I have lodged a nomination for the church and hall to be included on the Brisbane City Council heritage register,’’ heritage consultant Thom Blake said.

“It’s not too late. if Council approves the nomination this could be stopped,’’ Dr Blake said.

“This was the first church in Ashgrove and was actually built in Red Hill before it was moved to the first residential part of Ashgrove, Grove Estate, in 1891.

“It is significant because it has been in continuous use ever since as a church or for community purposes, including as a polling booth for 50 years.

“I really think the Church has not done its due diligence on this matter.’’

Artist's impression of how the childcare centre could look.

Where the current church and hall are located.

Rev Mark Cornford, from the Presbytery Minister for the Moreton Rivers Presbytery, confirmed it was considering development on the site.

“The church will consider the needs of the community and the unique character that is Ashgrove in making any decision,’’ he said.

“It is important to note that, under the Brisbane City Council guidelines, the pre-1946 building will be kept as an important part of the Ashgrove character.

“Throughout the entire process, we will continue to engage with members of the community and current hall hirers.

“To date, this has included a meeting with the dance studio and another local Uniting Church congregation about helping the dance studio relocate.”

Students (left to right) Giselle Carter, Madelyn Osborn, Abigail Butler, Alex Farley, Josephine Gardiner and Hannah Daly took part in a fundraiser to replace the Dance Studio floor. Generations of westsiders have been trained at the studio. Picture: Sarah Marshall

Cr Toomey said the proposal had already stirred up a hornet’s nest in the area, where up to three generations of dancers have been trained at the studio.

“I want to reassure residents that I will be standing up for the community to ensure their voices are heard as this proposal is assessed,’’ he said.

“The application will be impact assessable, which means it must undergo a 15-day public notification period.

“I encourage residents to submit their feedback on the proposal during this period.’’

Unless a heritage nomination is approved neither the Church or its hall are protected from demolition.

Dance studio owners Wendy Lowe and Judy McCaffrey said while they also used a hall opposite Ashgrove State School, it had to be shared with other users.

“We’ve looked at other options including underneath Aldi in Harry St and opposite the NightOwl on Waterworks Rd but they’re all either too expensive or not the right size,’’ Ms Lowe said.

WESTSIDE’S CHILDCARE EXPLOSION

How many childcare centres does Brisbane really need?

Anger at Boundary Rd, Bardon childcare project

“The Church told us late last year they might demolish the buildings so we asked them if we could stay on until the end of (2021).

“For now we are OK, but it would be terrible if the buildings were pulled down — they’ve been our home.’’

HPC Urban Design and Planning said in the development application that specialist reports “demonstrate that the proposed development is an appropriate outcome for the site, generally accords with the relevant provisions of the Brisbane City Plan 2014 and will not prejudice the development potential of adjoining lots’’.

The two-level childcare centre would have a basement carpark and 963 sqm of outdoor play space, with a vehicle entrance off Devoy st and a 100 sqm office.

A cafe would also be built, on the Ashgrove Ave frontage.

The church has been used as offices for many years.