St Leonards Church Naremburn members speak out over church’s townhouse housing bid, council heritage listing

Members of a Sydney church have accused a council of using the guise of heritage to block a townhouse development for the site as divisions among church members result in some resigning from their positions in protest.

Members of a north shore church have stood down from their positions in protest over a controversial plan to redevelop the site with townhouse-style units.

Divisions have emerged among parishioners of St Leonards Catholic Church in Naremburn over a $20.6 million residential development proposed by the church which some parishioners say could “destroy” the historic significance of the site.

The development includes knocking down a former school building to make way for new townhouses, each standing three storeys tall.

Many church members have supported the development – claiming the existing buildings are “crumbling”, riddled with cracks and the church lacks the financial resources to maintain the buildings.

But many others have strongly opposed the development including one member who told a council meeting he stood down from his position as a parish co-secretary after claiming he was given an ultimatum to support the proposed development or “resign”.

A concept image of the proposed development.

Divisions within the church community have been heightened by Willoughby Council’s plans to extend a heritage protection order on the church – a move that would effectively block the redevelopment works from taking place.

Adeline Kassis – the youth co-ordinator at the parish who has supported the church’s redevelopment plans – opposed the extended heritage listing.

“For years the parish hall has smelled damp – it’s sad, bare and it’s well beyond time to do something meaningful and economically viable with the buildings,” she said.

The proposed development has been opposed by Willoughby Council.

“It’s the parish’s large space and in an effort to foster community we cram 150 people in who complain about the condition of the crumbling building every time without fail.”

John Oultram, a heritage advisor, said the proposed development was essential for the financial sustainability of the church and has downplayed the heritage significance of the former school building.

“In aesthetic terms I don’t think anyone would describe it as a high quality building of any significance whatsoever and in my view doesn’t meet the required threshold to be listed as a heritage item,” he said.

A former school building would be demolished for the proposed development.

The proposed heritage listing has also drawn involvement from members of the broader community with some residents expressing concerns over the visual impact of adding townhouses to the site.

Others have argued the former school building should be retained due to its connection to Mary MacKillop, Australia’s only Saint, who helped establish the school.

Speaking at last week’s council meeting, one church member claimed there has been a “one sided campaign” by high ranking members of the church involving an intense “bulletin blitz” asking parishioners to write to the council to oppose the heritage listing.

A spokeswoman for the parish refuted the claims, saying “there is no record of anyone being subject to ultimatums if they do not support the development”.

A concept image of the church’s development plans.

A report by the council stated the extended heritage order was needed to stop the “high likelihood that an unsympathetic development” could be built on the site.

Heritage studies commissioned by the council stated the site has historical significance due to its association with the early development of religious and educational buildings within the local community.

The council has submitted the proposal to grant the buildings within heritage protection to the NSW Government, which would have a final say on the listing.

A spokeswoman for the Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay said the heritage listing would result in the school building remaining derelict and undeveloped indefinitely.

“Options for adaptive reuse of the school buildings have been explored by the parish in the past with no economically viable option identified,” she said.

The school has not been used since 1996 (and) three expert heritage reports obtained by the parish last year found no heritage value in the former school building which would prevent the new development.

“If the listing of the school proceeds it will place an unjust economic and social burden on the parish.

“The Catholic Parish of Lower North Shore is committed to redevelop the site and will be seeking an approval of its development application in the Land and Environment Court next month.”