A burgeoning religious community in southeastern Melbourne is still on the lookout for a new place of worship after the local council turned down their proposal for a new church building.
The Bethel New Life Christian Fellowship sought permission to construct a two-story church in a green wedge area located in Cranbourne South. While the group has the option to challenge the council’s decision through a tribunal, they plan to consult with their congregation before determining their next steps.
The council’s rejection of the church project has raised doubts about the feasibility of establishing a new place of worship in this protected area. The proposed $3.5 million church was intended to serve the growing community and was designed to accommodate up to 400 attendees along with 120 parking spaces, situated near a busy residential development.
The green wedge zones are designated to safeguard biodiversity, agricultural land, and rural communities from encroaching urban development. Despite the recommendation from council staff to move forward with the proposal, the councilors voted against it during a City of Casey meeting on Tuesday evening.
“Green wedges serve a distinct purpose,” stated Councillor Dave Perry during the session. “They are meant to act as a buffer against urban sprawl.”
Pastor John De Britto expressed his disappointment with the council’s decision, emphasizing that the church had outgrown its current location in an industrial area of Dandenong, which currently serves a diverse congregation of Tamil and English speakers. “For our expanding community, remaining where we are is not feasible,” he remarked.
Pastor De Britto noted that a significant portion of their congregation—approximately 90 percent—resides in the City of Casey, suggesting that the council is not adequately considering the needs of local community members.
The church group had acquired the $1.8 million site along Cranbourne-Frankston Road with the intention of providing a new space for their congregation. However, the application faced backlash from residents, with over 230 objections raised regarding its potential effects on local biodiversity and traffic congestion.
Despite these concerns, council officials had recommended granting the permit, albeit with 56 specified conditions. Councillor Perry highlighted that the scale of the proposed building was a significant factor in their decision to deny the application, pointing out that the structure would cover 3,515 square meters and reach a height of up to nine meters.
Should the council deny a planning permit, applicants have the right to appeal to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). Pastor De Britto mentioned that the church congregation would convene on Sunday to deliberate on their future course of action.
