Asbestos, termites and red tape: Church battles to demolish heritage-listed hall

A small Catholic parish in Brisbane’s south is asking for the right to demolish a 77-year-old asbestos-laden building that has been condemned by safety officials despite its heritage protection.

Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Acacia Ridge began talks with Brisbane City Council in 2022, when it became apparent that termite damage in its stumps would expose asbestos in the walls, ceiling and roof.

The secretary of the parish’s financial council, Noel Sweeney, said the hall – which had been constructed from two World War II-era army huts – was condemned during a Workplace Health and Safety check.

Noel Sweeney says his parish can’t afford renovations needed to make the building usable again.Credit: Catherine Strohfeldt

“We got a quote to get the building renovated and made useful, and it came in at $700,000,” Sweeney said. “We are a poor parish … we’d hold an appeal here and get $2000.”

He said initial estimates to demolish the building – and a nearby non-heritage garden shed that also contains asbestos – came in at about $100,000.

Brisbane City Council says the building has historical and social significance.Credit: Catherine Strohfeldt

Sweeney added that his parish was receiving support from the Archdiocese of Brisbane, but that renovations were low on the list of requirements at the Acacia Ridge church.

Last week, a council report refused the parish’s bid, saying the building had historical and social significance to the church and community, and was a rare surviving example of repurposed World War II military huts.

Civic cabinet chair for city planning Adam Allan said it was important to preserve the site, which was heritage listed in 2002.

“Owners of heritage buildings have an obligation to maintain them, and we should not allow heritage to be bulldozed because the owners let it fall into disrepair,” he said.

Allan said the church had not provided several documents needed before a heritage review could be considered.

Noel Sweeney of the parish’s financial council says the church can’t afford to repair the heritage-listed building.Credit: Catherine Strohfeldt

But he did not rule out a change in stance, saying a meeting in early March would discuss “future opportunities” for the site.

Built at Archerfield Airport around 1948, the hall was the main church building from 1959 to 1966 and a temporary school site for Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Primary School in about 1971.

It later became a multipurpose function space – accommodating youth groups, meetings, and events such as weddings – and an office for church staff.

Moorooka ward councillor Steve Griffiths said City Hall should be listening to the community.

Termite damage to the building’s wooden foundations has caused it to sink, risking cracks in asbestos panelling.Credit: Catherine Strohfeldt

“In terms of heritage for this site … the community is saying, ‘we’d like it removed because the building is falling down’,” he said.

Sweeney said the building had “served its purpose” and was no longer wanted by locals.

“We’d like a modern building here – that’s what the parish council feels,” he said.

“We’re going to fight on, and we’re going to stick with it until we can remove it.”

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