A combination of changes to NSW planning legislation have had an unforeseen consequence of limiting the size limit of any use of four council buildings in Campbelltown as places of public worship.
The buildings are Ambarvale Community Hall, Kearns Community Hall, St Helens Park Community Hall, and Woodbine Neighbourhood Centre.
Next Tuesday, at its October monthly meeting, Campbelltown Council will rectify this issue, by supporting a planning proposal that seeks to amend Clause 7.30 of the Campbelltown Local Environmental Plan 2015.
This will have the effect of removing the restriction on the size of places of public worship at these locations.
The planning proposal would also enable the four sites to also be used for a place of public worship, should an application for that purpose be submitted in the future.
Development consent for Ambarvale Community Hall was issued in 1986 and it has since then been used by a range of community groups, and it has also been hired at times for private functions and by places of public worship.
Development consent for St Helens Park Community Hall was issued in 1994 as a multi-purpose community centre and as a child care centre.
It has been used by a range of community groups for community purposes, and also been hired for private functions and by places of public worship.
Woodbine Neighbourhood Centre (pictured above) opened in 1984 and has also been used by a range of community groups.
It has also been hired for private functions and other purposes.
Kearns Community Hall was opened in 1985, has been used by various community groups and by places of public worship.
The planning proposal was placed on public exhibition from July 22 until August 20. Properties within 100m of the four halls were notified.
No public submissions were received.
State agencies did not raise any concerns with this planning proposal.
The recommendation before councillors on Tuesday night is to endorse the proposal and finalise the amendment to the Campbelltown Local Environmental Plan 2015.