A proposed church development that would become the largest place of assembly in Castlemaine is currently before Mount Alexander Shire Council.
Residents have raised concerns about the application for 83 Blakeley Road, which would have the capacity to seat up to 870 people and an adjoining car park to accommodate 160 cars.
The application outlines the church would operate up to six days a week, in some cases from as early as 5.30am until late evening.
It is understood the applicant for the development is the Exclusive Brethren.
The area is zoned low-density residential but the site is located a short distance from the Castlemaine Church of Christ, which has a capacity to seat 300 and car parking for 60 cars.
Residents are concerned that as the local congregation is less than 100, the centre may be intended for use as a regional, state or even national facility.
Kim Michelmore and Malinda Melbourne will be the most severely impacted by the development as they are located directly opposite the site.
“We don’t know what kind of lighting will light up the carpark but we do know we will have car lights shining directly into our bedroom window, morning and evening,” Mr Michelmore said.
“We are not are not against development but anticipated that homes would be built on the adjacent blocks.
“Being low-density housing you can’t build a cinema, nightclub or warehouse on the block. But we don’t see how this development will be any different. It is a large warehouse-looking building and there will be large concentrations of cars arriving from as early as 5am and departing up to 10.30pm at night,” he said.
Ms Melbourne said traffic and fire safety was also a major concern.
“When motorists come over the crest from Castlemaine they could be faced with cars banked up trying to turn into the church in both directions and little time to react,” she said.
“In the event of fire there are also only two exits for residents and church members via the single-lane bridge on Sawmill Road (towards Bendigo) and Myring Street (towards Castlemaine) and many of the connecting streets also use this route.
“We are extremely concerned about evacuation in the event of a fire if traffic is backed up on the single-lane Sawmill Road bridge to the Midland Highway,” she said.
Fellow resident Dr Geoff Courtis said a substantial place of worship such as the one proposed, was more appropriately located on a main street or highway, or in a town centre.
“We have enjoyed living in this location for 42 years, and like others, have grave fears that the ambience, rural amenity and quietness of the area will be irreversibly damaged if a permit is issued,” he said.
Long-time resident Lloyd Curtis and daughter Jen Curtis share these concerns.
“As a parent I am also worried about the pedestrians and cyclists that use this thoroughfare to get to the Castlemaine Secondary College and into the CBD. Cyclists and pedestrians are forced to use the roadway as there are no footpaths or bike lanes,” Ms Curtis said.
“I am also concerned what the development’s proposed fencing and increased traffic will mean for local wildlife. We have a large mob of kangaroos that visit these paddocks and ducks, echidnas and phascogales.”
The residents say they are not impacted by the existing church congregation, which only holds services a couple of days a week and occasionally opens the venue for a range of community uses.
The residents met with council regarding the proposal last Tuesday night and urge fellow residents with concerns to make a submission to council before the permit is considered later this month.
