Exclusive Brethren spark mass backlash by building a hall in a Lysterfield street

THERE’S not much loving thy neighbour in Lysterfield, with an unholy war brewing between a church group who want to build a gospel and bible study hall, and nearby residents who aren’t happy about it.

THERE is no loving thy neighbour between a church and a group of Lysterfield residents over construction of a gospel and bible study hall.

The Exclusive Brethren, also known as Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, is building a hall at 2 Rathgar Rd, at the corner of Napoleon Rd, to host a number of meetings a week.

Excavation work started at the site last week after more than two years of planning.

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Concerned neighbours said they were unhappy the church was moving into the street without giving them a chance to see the designs or have their say because there was no requirement for a planning permit.

They said their main fears were churchgoers would add to traffic congestion on the narrow road and amplify parking problems.

In a letter drop to nearby homes, the church offered an olive branch saying: “We take our responsibilities to our local community very seriously and respect your right to live peacefully, free of disruption.”

Concerned Lysterfield residents in front of the Rathgar Rd construction site. Picture: James Ross.

The note from the church’s Sam McKechnie said the design of the church hall had taken into account concerns raised about traffic, noise, appearance and on-street parking.

Mr McKechnie said the majority of neighbours who had contacted him supported the hall.
He said the average congregation size would be about 50 people and sessions would be held at off-peak times, including a 6am Sunday mass.

The site will include 26 car parks and is due to open in April next year.

The church has been planning to build there for more than two years. Picture: James Ross

Neighbours say Rathgar Rd already has problems with congestion and parking. Picture: James Ross.

Neighbour Matt Crook accused the church of “exploiting a loophole to bypass the function that gives ratepayers an opportunity to review and comment on something that’s going to have an impact on their enjoyment of their area”.

He said they had not been transparent about their plans and apart from a 2016 meeting, had made minimal effort to allow people to provide feedback.

“How they pray, who they pray to, what they believe, that’s none of my concern,” he said. “The only concern I have is the planning process seems to have been circumvented, whether by design or by good luck.”

Morten Brodersen has lived over the road from the site for the past 10 years and was worried the church was acting in a “stealthy” manner.

“It looks like they’re doing everything they can to bypass residents and push it through anyway, instead of actually doing something to address those concerns,” he said.

Mr Brodersen said there was a lot of uncertainty about the type of disruptions the church would generate for nearby residents.

Mr McKechnie said in response: “Our church meetings do not generate a great deal of noise, with no amplified music; we also endeavour to come and go from services as quietly as possible.”

He said the building would look like a house from the outside and would be in line with the neighbourhood character.
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