Tribunal hears Coptic Church development Opposition
Bishop Anba Suriel
by Shaun Turton
15/2/2011
THE Coptic Church’s $8 million proposal for a sport and function centre at its Donvale headquarters has appeared before the state planning tribunal.
Objecting residents, the church and the council all presented during the three-day hearing at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, which started on January 31.
The residents, who called one expert witness, are against the size of the centre, which includes three basketball courts, squash courts, a swimming pool, offices and a cafe.
Donvale Ratepayers Association spokesman Kristian Tkatchenko said the group’s argument also centred on the increased traffic generated by the proposed centre and its inappropriate placement in a low-density zone.
Church spokesman Sherif Youssef said the church called six experts in its case for the centre.
Mr Youssef said the congregation was looking forward to getting a resolution on the building’s future after two years of uncertainty.
He said it was “disappointing” residents against the development had drawn out the process.
“It has wasted money that could have been put back into the community,” Mr Youssef said.
The council agreed to back the plans in December providing the Coptic Church met several conditions, including:
REDUCE the building’s footprint;
PROVIDE another traffic study;
INCLUDE 90 extra carpark spaces;
COMPLY with noise standards; and
LIMIT the number of people on the site to 1000.
VCAT is expected to hand down its decision within two months.
