Hillsong church wants to move from Bayswater to Knoxfield

EVANGELICAL church Hillsong is proving so popular in Melbourne’s east it wants to move suburbs after outgrowing its home.

Hillsong wants to move from its site in Bayswater to a new spot on Burwood Highway, Knoxfield.

EVANGELICAL church Hillsong is proving so popular in Melbourne’s east it wants to move suburbs after outgrowing its Bayswater home.

Its plans for a church for up to 900 people at 557 Burwood Highway, Knoxfield, have hit a hurdle after being knocked back by VicRoads and Knox Council.

But the council confirmed an appeal hearing at VCAT is set for March 23 next year.

Place of worship knocked back for Burwood Highway, Knoxfield

In a statement, Hillsong Church general manager George Aghajanian said the Bayswater site, at 32 Stud Rd, became the church’s Melbourne East campus in February 2013, and over the past three years had experienced “good growth” – so much so, they had outgrown it.

It’s not clear how many people attend the church’s services, which include Saturday nights, but the church’s website said carpark attendants directed traffic, sometimes to overflow parking across the street or at an adjoining property.

Mr Aghajanian said Hillsong bought the Knoxfield site to replace the current home, choosing its location in an industrial area as most church activities were outside business hours.

But its application through Perry Town Planning – which also included a food and drink premises, advertising signs, and a reduction in carparking – was rejected due to parking and traffic concerns.

The council’s acting city development director Paul Dickie said it had to refuse the plans after VicRoads objected to them.

VicRoads would not comment as the matter was with VCAT.

The decision was made under delegation so the application – which had five objections – did not go to a council meeting.

Mr Aghajanian said the church was “surprised” the plans were rejected and was “hopeful” it could work with the council.

Hillsong boasts 250,000 followers in Australia and says it is “unashamedly passionate about the House of God”.