Parramatta: St John’s Anglican Church’s $400m development plans
A panel has handed down a recommendation about the Anglican Church’s plans for a $400 million development in western Sydney that proposes the demolition of a heritage-listed building.
Parramatta
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Worshippers at St John’s Anglican parish, Parramatta, are set to get closer to God if plans to transform a chunk of the CBD with two towers, three auditoriums and a public square proceed.
But the development hit a hurdle this afternoon after the Parramatta Local Planning Panel recommended the retention of the heritage listed 108-year-old St John’s Parish Hall.
St John’s requested the hall be demolished to build a 46-storey tower for three auditoriums seating up to 1000 people and 44,000sq m of office space for 4000 jobs.
National Trust of Australia’s Parramatta branch president Cheryl Bates welcomed the panel’s decision.
“We’re happy to hear them make recommendations to preserve the heritage,’’ she said.
“If things are heritage listed, they’re listed for a purpose.’’
St John’s senior minister Bruce Morrison did not wish to comment about the panel’s decision, which will now go before Parramatta Council for assessment this month.
If it rejects the panel’s recommendation to keep the heritage-listed hall, the plans would advance to the State Government for approval.
Under plans, one of the buildings on the southern side would be an eight-storey residential tower possibly to house an aged care centre and student accommodation.
The church also has plans to create a link from Hunter St to Macquarie St.
The precinct would be built alongside the $2.4 billion Parramatta Square redevelopment, which prompted Mr Morrison to dub it Parramatta Square West.
Ahead of the decision on Tuesday, Mr Morrison said the plans, drafted as part of the parish’s 100-year masterplan, were needed for more than 1000 worshippers and would bring the parish into the 21st century.
“There’s a significant amount of property that we’re developing but we’re retaining all the public spaces … and significantly increasing the public space around the cathedral itself,’’ he said.
“The western side at the moment is just a shemozzle at the end of Hunter St.”
He said the hall’s heritage value did not outweigh the benefits the public would gain from the redevelopment, forecast to cost between $300 million and $400 million.
“We have nowhere where the congregation can have refreshments so we’ve got very fragmented facilities,’’ he said.
“It’s old and hot in summer, it’s cold in winter. It’s not a piece of architecture that represents a particular period of time.’’
Western Sydney Business Chamber executive director David Borger supported the redevelopment.
“What I like about these plans is the potential to expand the public space in Parramatta and make the square bigger.
“The quality of the building design, I think it’s going to set a new benchmark.
“If you look at Parramatta, the churches have always played a strong part in the community.
“What you see now is great urban design and soul and character and there’s no more so than one of the oldest churches in Australia.’’
The cathedral, which is the oldest place of continual worship in Australia, is not earmarked for changes under the development.
Before today’s decision, Parramatta Council’s heritage advisory committee member Carol Liston said demolishing the hall was short-sighted.
“Fair enough, they aren’t in the game of heritage but I still think there are processes where reassessment might be needed and any additional information would be available,’’ she said.
“Development pressures means there’s very little acknowledgment that heritage items, particularly when they’re small and conveniently located, need to be protected and it’s a battle of new money versus old community values.
“It’s in a changing and commercially viable location. It’s just that I think a better process to heritage is part of the case that needs to be made.’’
Jattca Property Solutions first lodged plans to Parramatta Council on behalf of the church last year to redevelop the site at 195 Church St, 68-79 Macquarie St and 45 Hunter St.
The Anglican Church Property Trust owns 12 allotments on those properties.