Parramatta: St John’s Anglican Church’s $400m development plans
The Anglican Church has put forward controversial plans for two towers — and more — in western Sydney, which could see 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.
On Tuesday, Parramatta Local Planning Panel will consider whether to approve the demolition of the church’s heritage-listed 108-year-old hall to build a 46-storey tower for three auditoriums seating up to 1000 people and 44,000sq m of office space for 4000 jobs.
The second, southern building 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, prompting St John’s Parramatta senior minister Bruce Morrison to label it Parramatta Square West.
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.’’
“The facilities were built ad hoc but in the 21st century you can’t make do with that.’’
The hall has local heritage listing but not state status.
The cathedral, which is the oldest place of continual worship in Australia, is not earmarked for changes under the development.
“We genuinely believe what we do is going to enhance the cathedral,’’ Mr Morrison said.
However suggestions to demolish the hall is at odds with heritage groups including 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.’’
National Trust of Australia’s Parramatta branch president Cheryl Bates echoed the comments.
“The committee noted their grave concern on the impact of this development especially regarding the scale of the development, impact on major community open space and the change in amenity from a religious/community gathering point,’’ she said.
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.
If the planning proposal is successful, Mr Morrison said it would lodge a development application before Parramatta Council.
The Planning Department would then consider the application.