By Dr Peter Gangemi - Mayor of The Hills Shire Council
The Land and Environment Court has given the go ahead for a place of public worship at 1 Larapinta Place, Glenhaven despite Council and Community disapproval.
The decision was handed down on Monday, March 28 by the Commissioner of the Court Joanne Gray.
The decision is incredibly disappointing for The Hills community and in particular the residents of Glenhaven.
The proposal fails to adequately deal with the RU6 transition zone objectives, as well as the noise, traffic and parking this type of development will generate. It also has little regard to the rural landscape and will unacceptably impact on the natural environment, as well as the neighbouring properties located within the quiet cul-de-sac.
Council is not against places of public worship, but the location. Given the intensity and scale, Council wanted to see this type of development located in our urbanised areas – where there is adequate pedestrian access, public transport, roads and a sewer network.
I would like to thank residents for their submissions during the DA process and their efforts in highlighting the many issues this proposal has. It’s disheartening that Council is unable to be the consent authority on developments over $5 million as a result of State Government imposed planning panels.
As part of the Court’s decision, approval was also granted for the demolition of the existing structures and works associated with constructing a place of public worship, including the basement car parking and landscaping.
