Another joint housing and church development is underway in the Sydney Diocese, following similar projects in Bankstown and Regents Park.
The Sydney North Planning Panel has given the green light for the redevelopment of St Andrew’s, Lane Cove, with an auditorium for more than 400 people, along with ministry and community spaces. The development will also include 48 premium apartments, located just minutes from Lane Cove Village.
This initiative is a partnership between national property and construction group Traders In Purple, Sydney Anglican Property and the Sustainable Development Group. Lane Cove Council has also endorsed the plans.
"This is fantastic news for both Lane Cove and for the local church,” said Ross Jones, CEO of Sydney Anglican Property.
"While the provision of new housing and state-of-the art community facilities are really important features, at SAP we also want to see gospel ministry continuing to flourish in the heart of the Lane Cove community. This project will allow that to happen. It’s a real win-win.“
As well as two- and three-bedroom apartments, 50 dedicated car parking spaces will be provided for the church where none currently exist.
Traders in Purple CEO Brett Robinson said redevelopment of the site had been enthusiastically supported by many members of the local community. He said the existing parish church, built in 1924, will be retained and sensitively adapted into a meeting place and portal to the new contemporary auditorium and ministry spaces, which will link old and new.
Senior minister of Lane Cove and Mowbray Anglican Churches, the Rev Darren Waters, says members of the parish are “very excited that the DA has been approved.
“Over the last 10 years, Lane Cove’s population has grown significantly, and our facilities needed renewal and expansion to help us to effectively bring the gospel of Jesus to our community. This will enable us to not only relieve the current space limitations in our kids and youth ministries but enable us to grow into the future as we seek to partner God in his mission.
“We have a desire to see lives transformed by Jesus and our prayer is that the new facilities will support gospel proclamation in Lane Cove and beyond.”
