Exclusive Brethren vows to work with community over Lysterfield church
The Exclusive Brethren has given the first glimpse of its massive new church in Lysterfield as it vows to address community concerns about the proposal. And it is already revising its original plans in light of traffic and environmental fears.
Outer East
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The Exclusive Brethren has vowed to address neighbours’ concerns about its plan to build a new hall in Lysterfield.
The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, also known as the Exclusive Brethren, wants to build a 756sq m building at 1470 Wellington Rd that would regularly accommodate up to 850 people and occasionally up to 1000 people.
Neighbours have expressed concerns about increased traffic, especially on days of high bushfire risk, and the impact on the environment.
Church spokesman Lance Nipper said work was already underway to accommodate community feedback on the plan, in addition to the process that will proceed with Knox Council.
“We are writing now to all neighbours, councillors and local residents to ask if they have concerns and invite them to meet if there is anything they would like to discuss,” Mr Nipper said.
“We are not just going for a council planning approval. Our church has a significant population in this area and a great relationship with the local communities, and we want to build on that.”
Mr Nipper said the church was now revising its plans to address neighbours’ traffic and environment concerns.
“We have heard from locals that a key area that neighbours and the community want answers on is traffic management, and this is something we are focusing on in our plans,” he said.
“We will seal the nearby section of Glen Rd, upgrade the (Wellington Rd) intersection with widening and a turning lane, and provide experienced traffic controllers at busy times.”
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He said they would protect all healthy trees on the site, undertake extensive landscaping focusing on native species, and retain the onsite dam, protecting the aquatic ecosystem.
“We build church halls that blend in with their surrounds, and this hall will be no exception,” Mr Nipper said.
“Our aim is to replicate a minimal visual impact in all our proposals, including Lysterfield.
“We will make sure the hall is hardly visible from the street, if at all. To do this, we plan to construct a curved roof of a neutral colour and provide hedging along key borders.”
Mr Nipper said the church already supported the CFA, through its charity the Rapid Relief Team, and we would ensure that appropriate bushfire plans were in place.
“Just like all Lysterfield locals, we are pleased to call Lysterfield home. It is a vibrant, peaceful community and we look forward to continuing to be good neighbours with our community,” he said.