Nathan St church plan

A DEVELOPMENT application has been lodged to build a church on Nathan St, Aitkenvale.

The application, lodged by Milford Planning on behalf of Sajimon Sachria and Anu Vargees, proposes to reconfigure a lot and build a “place of worship” on one of them.

According to the application the proposed church is located close to Stockland Townsville Shopping Centre, a number of commercial offices and a large hotel.

It is understood that Townsville City Council has recently approved a development application for a service station and food and drink outlet south of the proposed development.

The church would be surrounded by low-rise structures no taller than two storeys.

There would be space for about 30 parishioners and it is understood the church would operate mainly on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

“The facility is intended to provide intimate services and no amplified noise is proposed to be emitted by the use of the site,” the application stated.

It is understood there was a pre-lodgement meeting between the applicants and the council’s planning and engineering co-ordinators about the planned church on March 13.

The council was noted as being “generally supportive” of the proposal given the ability of the proposal to demonstrate adequate site access arrangements.

But the council did raise concerns about the site’s proximity to the Nathan St and Bergin Rd intersection and the related traffic infrastructure.

The council recommended a pre-lodgement meeting between the Transport and Main Roads Department and the applicants.

“Amenity concerns were also discussed, with council identifying noise as a possible impact on the surrounding amenity, specifically through the provision of any amplified noise with the intended use,” the application stated.

“Council were noted as being generally supportive of the subdivision, noting the ability of the proposed lots to be adequately serviced with connection to council’s reticulated sewer and water networks.”

Milford Planning argued the proposed development should be approved for five main reasons, including its compatibility with the “function and intention” of the locality and designation of the Aitkenvale Medium Density Precinct of the planning scheme.

It said the impacts of the development were considered acceptable and would be managed through conditions of approval.