When we have a few more of our community in WA that come from time to time, it’s a little bit dangerous on Duke Street...we only have about a quarter of the parking we need there"
- Plymouth Brethren Church member Bill Draffin
The Plymouth Brethren Church has been granted approval by the Shire of Northam to build a new meeting hall and accompanying carpark on East Street.
The proposed development was approved by the Wheatbelt Joint Assessment Panel on Monday October 17.
The church was established in Northam in 2003 and built its main hall on Duke Street, that will be replaced by the new, larger building.
Plymouth Brethren Church member Bill Draffin said the old building did not have the parking facilities needed for the church.
“When we have a few more of our community in WA that come from time to time, it’s a little bit dangerous on Duke Street,” he said.
“We only have about a quarter of the parking we need there.
“It means that we are relying on the parking of the Shire Hall.”
In total, the church has 150 members in Northam.
According to the development brochure, the carpark has been designed to cater for 900 people that will be attending the church for an event every two to three years.
Public consultation for the application commenced on August 11 and closed August 25.
During the period, six submissions were received, including five objections taking issue with drainage, traffic flow, noise, lights fill, zoning and amenity.
The church will use the hall every evening except Wednesday and in the mornings on Saturday and Sunday.
Every fortnight an additional Sunday service will host 300 people.
The development brochure states the new hall will cater for the long term needs of the church and that they hope to complete the project by the end of 2017.
