Toowoomba’s New Hope Church proposes new childcare centre, function facility in Harlaxton

Another childcare centre could be coming to Toowoomba, with a prominent city church putting forward plans for one on its campus. And the redevelopments don’t end there.

A major Toowoomba church has put forward plans to create a new childcare centre and functions facility on its campus in the city’s northern suburbs.

New Hope Church, which has locations in Toowoomba, Warwick and Crows Nest, lodged applications with the Toowoomba Regional Council for multiple re-uses of its land on Peace St in Harlaxton.

The most significant aspect will be the construction of a 68-place childcare centre, added to the rear of the church, which will add another 540sq m to the entire building.

New Hope also wants to move its ancillary carparking from in front of the church to the side, with view of being used by both the church and childcare centre.

According to the report by Precinct Urban Planning’s Paul Kelly, the centre will cater for kids from birth to five years of age.

“The facility will employ 22 full time equivalent staff and will operate between the hours of 7am and 6pm, from Monday to Friday,” the report said.

“The internal configuration of the childcare centre will comprise a reception area, office, staffroom, laundry, amenities and kitchen, in addition to the children’s areas which will include three activity areas, baby sleep room, children’s amenities, storage rooms and two covered outdoor play areas.

“The proposed development will be of single storey construction and will have a maximum building height of 4.721m above natural ground level.”

In a separate application, the church has also wants to use the main building as a functions facility when church services are not being run.

“The function facility will have a maximum capacity of 392 persons, however night time events will be limited to 225 persons, ensuring noise impacts from patrons leaving the venue after 10pm are suitably mitigated,” Mr Kelly’s report said.

“It is expected that approximately 20 events will be held at the premises per year.

“It is noted that the existing place of worship will continue to operate from the premises in addition to the proposed function facility activities, however these operations will not occur simultaneously.”

While the childcare centre element is code-assessable under the council’s planning scheme, the function facility and car park proposal will require a public notification period.

According to its website, New Hope Church says it is part of a movement across Australia capturing 250,000 Christians.

“New Hope is a Christian church that is a part of the Australian Christian Churches (ACC), a movement of 1100 churches and more than 250,000 believers across Australia,” it said.

“New Hope church is a growing church with vibrant worship, intentional discipleship, and enthusiastic intergenerational community.

“Our method is relational discipleship, which begins with unchurched and churched people alike.”