Parramatta Minister defends St John’s Anglican Cathedral plans

Opponents who labelled a development surrounding a historic western Sydney cathedral ‘heritage vandalism’ also called the plans discriminatory. Find out why.

St John’s Anglican Cathedral would be dwarfed by buildings if it was developed.

Critics who oppose a $400m proposal surrounding St John’s Anglican Cathedral have failed to stop the development progressing after a council meeting.

A fortnight after Parramatta Council voted to advance the project to the state government for further approval, a rescission motion was brought to the chamber by Greens councillor Phil Bradley, Labor’s Patricia Prociv and independent Kellie Darley.

They argued two buildings flanking the 220-year-old cathedral were inappropriate for the site.

“I think effectively it’s a form of state heritage vandalism,’’ Cr Bradley said.

“It has a serious impact on the heritage values.’’

However, Senior Minister Bruce Morrison clapped back at a string of “misconceptions”, including that the church was a developer.

St John's Anglican Cathedral Reverend Bruce Morrison at the church site.

“Are you aware of any developer who has only been there for 220 years and contributed to the life of the community of the city since its inception and has a membership of 1000 people across the LGA, opened their grounds to the public for the last 80 years and will remain here for the next 220 years?’’ he said at the meeting.

“We are a not-for-profit — everything goes back into churches and the community.

“I’ve been working on this project for over a decade. I will not get a bonus on completion, just my usual stipend.’’

The parish call is endangered.

A church-owned building at Hunter St would be bulldozed for the south tower.

Parramatta City resident Helen Westwood and some councillors accused the church of being discriminatory because, under a planning agreement with the proposal, it could exclude groups, such as those celebrating same-sex weddings, practising other faiths or advocating for euthanasia, in the civic space.

The church owns much of the grounds surrounding the cathedral, making it private land. Under an existing licence, organisers of events such as food festivals must seek the church’s permission to use the space.

Labor councillor Cameron Maclean said: “I find it incredibly disagreeable, and it’s entirely against the principles of society in which we seek to run, which is an open and secular one,’’ he said.

But independent councillor Lorraine Wearne slammed those who “sidetracked” the development debate with religious matters.

“I don’t necessarily agree with what the churches think, but that’s not the point,’’ she said.

“I’m not here to preach to you about what I think or what I believe, and neither are you.

“So, for heaven’s sake, why don’t we all pull our heads in and rule on the planning matter.’’

Ahead of the meeting, Mr Morrison said the development was a “good urban outcome”.

Under the plans, the 111-year-old heritage-listed parish hall would be demolished to make way for a 45-storey north tower with a podium auditorium for 600 people, a cafe and offices.

Mr Morrison said plans for residential apartments were shelved, and instead, the two buildings would be for church activities and offices.

St John's Anglican Cathedral Reverend Bruce Morrison at the hall which could be demolished.

The south building at Hunter St would likely not exceed eight storeys and house church activities, a basketball court, children’s play centre, a cafe and a base for welfare programs.

After almost six years, approval from two elected councils and planning panels, Mr Morrison was frustrated about the proposal’s return to the chamber.

“City council is saying this is planning on the run — it’s absurd,’’ he said.

“Our planning proposal was framed in sympathy with the CBD Planning Proposal.

“We think it’s good for the church. We think it’s good for Parramatta. We think it’s a good urban outcome.

“You’ve got Parramatta Square to the east. This will provide Parramatta Square to the west.’’

Mr Morrison said the project would allow a public square to expand if the hall was demolished.

Before the meeting, he hoped the council’s decision would remain the same.

“I’m praying that it won’t change,’’ he said.

“The line between St John’s and the community is very permeable and we like it that way.’’