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72 Comments

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1. I support this application.

   As a resident of Billa Road and a member of Menai Baptist Church I would like to confirm that the approval of this application will have the sole purpose of allowing church attendees to join services in a modern, sound-proofed and accessible environment.

   Our attendees are from all age groups with differing needs in terms of ability and mobility. That means if, for example, the elevator to the media centre malfunctions it is very difficult for a number of people to either enter or leave.

   I'd like to re-iterate the fact that the only thing being sought under this application is to move our primary meeting place from one building to another.

   Yours Sincerely
   Sean Hambridge

2. I support this application.

   Menai Baptist church has consisted of a committed community of individuals for well over 30 years and has always existed to serve the residents of the Sutherland shire. Over the last few years it has demonstrated it's respect for local residents by modifying its parking habits, ensuring car lights do not shine into their properties and keeping noise to a minimum. In more recent times it has been supporting local community groups such Bangor Football club and offers many services to Inaburra school and serves its 650 families.

   To conduct worship services within the Performing Arts Centre will have negligible effect on traffic and noise in the local area relative sporting groups and other churches. I believe the church's submission, even as a mere community body, is a reasonable one.

3. Menai Baptist church has met on the site for more than 30 years and moving to a different location on the site is not an unreasonable request. The church wants to be an effective and valuable member of the local community and meeting in the PAC can help to facilitate this vision.

   As a member of the church I support this submission.

4. I have attended Menai baptist church for over 20 years and as an ex student of innaburra school I have seen the way both the school and church have sort to carry out church and school life with as little impact on surrounding nabours as possible. I feel that this proposal will again assist this, by being allowed to hold Sunday survives in the PAC I feel noise levels from these services will drop due to the PAC being a purpose built building for acoustics.

   As others have mentioned all this proposal is asking is that the church move Sunday services from one building to another which will have no change on traffic and parking. Most attendees of Menai Baptist church make a very conscious effort to respect nabours by parking inside the grounds of inaburra school and not on the surrounding streets.

   Because of this I support this proposal.

5. I support Menai Baptist Church's Application to use the Performing Arts Centre for Sunday worship services.

   The church currently meets in the Inaburra "Media Centre" and simply wants to relocate on that site to the purpose built Performing Arts Centre. The PAC has been designed to minimise noise impacts on its neighbours. The approval of this DA would be a "Win Win" for the church and the neighbours adjacent to the Inaburra complex.

   I am a resident of Menai and a member of Menai Baptist Church.

6. I support this application on the grounds that it will advantage many and should not negatively impact any members of the local community.

   Moving the primary meeting place from one building to another within the same complex:

   - Will not increase the amount of vehicle or pedestrian traffic which are already very small compared to school day volumes

   - will allow better access for the elderly members of the congregation and for children who have additional needs

   - will make it easier for visitors and new people to find the church meeting location, reducing any potential impact on neighbouring properties

7. I support this application.

   I am an ex-student of Inaburra, a Menai Baptist Church member and Music Director for the Sunday morning services. The relocation from one building to another building on the same site will have a number of benefits for the church and local community. From a sound perspective, the design of the current building (Media Centre) has an acoustic atmosphere where it is more difficult to control sound quality, clarity and volume. Consequently, the music and sound technical team have a heightened level of awareness when caring for the comfort of our congregation; in particular for our more senior members, young children and those with hearing sensitivities. While some audio improvement measures have been implemented, ultimately the design of the current building means that the desired level of audio control will not be obtainable.

   Utilising a purpose built facility (which is on the same site and has zoning that allows for the use as a Place of Public Worship) that alleviates these sound issues is the most desirable outcome. The Performing Arts Centre has been designed such that sound quality, clarity and volume can be controlled at an optimum level.

8. We have been residents of the Shire for over 35 years and have enjoyed the community, environment and lifestyle that it provides for residents. Over the years we have attended several churches in the Shire and are currently members of Menai Baptist Church.
   We support the current application to move to the Performing Arts Centre because it will be positive for both the Bangor Residents as well as community members who attend the Church. Our reasons for this support are;
   1. The move only involves moving from one building to another on the same site.
   2 .Existing parking facilities will continue to be utilized with no on street parking needed.
   3.The new facility has been purpose built and has better acoustic qualities for those inside as well as those in the neighbouring properties if noise was considered a factor.
   4.Those with physical and hearing disabilities will benefit greatly from a move to this facility.
   5. Eliminate the need to convert a classroom type environment each Sunday to a Church Worship Centre and then return it at the end of the day to facilitate the school,s requirements.
   Carol & Ross Clay

9. We wish to support the application to move the meeting place of Menai Baptist Church from one area of the Inaburra Complex to another. We have been residents of the Menai area for the past 30 years and have used both the School facilities to educate our children and the Church facilities as members of Menai Baptist Church since 1995. It has been our experience that both Church and School actively encourage users of the complex to be gracious and mindful of our neighbours including parking within the boundaries of the complex. The change to meeting in the Performing Arts Centre (PAC) will have no greater impact on the neighbourhood than it has meeting in the current "Media Centre" facility and in fact will greatly improve any noise as the PAC is soundproof and also has greater control of any noise levels.

   We would also point out that some of our congregation are elderly. The PAC will allow greater access and comfort for not only the more elderly but for all those with mobility challenges.

   We wholeheartedly support this application.

   Vikki & Jeff Kay

10. We support this application,

    Our understanding is all Menai Baptist Church is applying to do is transfer their meeting space on a Sunday from one building on the site to another.

    The change of location into the recently built performing arts center within the existing site, will mean greater facilities for the elderly, those hard of hearing and others with mobility challenges. The new center also has advanced acoustics that will protect the neighbors from any noise concerns. We believe this application will have no impact whatsoever on traffic or parking as there is already ample parking on site.

    Menai Baptist Church was established on this site in 1980 and has been apart of the community since this time. The church provides services to the community on a number of different levels and adds value to the lives of those within the 2234 area.

    We trust the Council will take a common sense approach to this minor development application.

11. I fully endorse and support the approval of the proposal for Menai Baptist Church to be able to meet for worship services on Sunday in the Performing Arts Centre (PAC) situated at Inaburra School.

    This facility (PAC) has been purpose built to provide for live performances, with state of the art acoustic control (to ensure negligible sound outside the building), seating (to ensure comfort for those attending, especially the elderly) and access (to allow ease of entry/exit for disabled, families with strollers, and the elderly).

    This proposal highlights the fact that the church already meets on Sunday within Inaburra, but in an inadequate room with difficult access, and that the change of venue to the PAC will not in any way result in a negative change for the neighbours of the school. Parking in contained within the school campus and the proposal is simply asking for a change of location from one room in the school to another (albeit a more suitable room).

    Many churches make use of school facilities all over Sydney on any given Sunday and support and contribute positively to their communities in many ways. Menai Baptist Church has served the 2234 district for over 30 years and is a source of invaluable community connection and support. This proposal would allow the church to continue its positive contribution to our community for years to come.

    I am a resident of Billa Road Bangor and a member of Menai Baptist Church.
    

12. As residents of Menai and attendees of Menai Baptist Church, we wish to support the approval of the proposal for Menai Baptist Church to meet on Sundays in the Performing Arts Centre. There would be no change to noise (in fact improvement), traffic or activities that are currently in operation.
    Many churches around the Shire use school facilities with no problem or objection.
    Menai Baptist Church seek the same consideration and understanding as these other churches have been afforded.

13. As a resident of Bodalla cres since April 1980, we precede any development at Inaburra and when we arrived here it was but a derelict remains of a rural property. We have seen this school including the church grow over these 34 years.

    We are regular attendees of the church on site since the early 1990's.

    The relocation of the church service from one building to another will have no effect at all on neighbors . Approval should be given to use a modern purpose built venue rather than existing facilities which are inferior.

14. My wife and I have been residents in Alfords Point since 1985, where our 4 children have grown-up. We have seen many good examples of development in our area and we have been actively involved in a number of local organisations, such as sporting groups, schools, churches etc., over those years.

    As local residents and attendees of Menai Baptist Church, we wholeheartedly support the Church's application to utilise the Performing Arts Centre for Sunday Services. It's readily apparent that this purpose-built facility provides better outcomes for all-concerned in respect of several aspects:
    * excellent acoustics internally (with in-built provision for the hearing impaired) means quieter noise levels externally;
    * continued off-street parking able to be used (with closer access for the physically impaired);
    * elimination of the current set-up/set-down time taken to use the Media Centre means that such time can be more effectively used for people-oriented activities eg. counselling, support groups etc.

    Essentially, the application only relates to a move from one building (Media Centre) to another, more-efficient, building (Performing Arts Centre) on the same site. I look forward to monitoring the progress of this application.

15. We strongly support this application for Menai Baptist Church Sunday gatherings to relocate to the PAC. As both regular attendees of the church and nearby residents of Bangaroo Street we feel this would have little or no impact on the local residents. The traffic and parking impact on a Sunday would be minimal compared to that of weekday school traffic as the onsite parking is already utilised. In my experience, there is no noise disruption whatsoever to neighbours while a musical performance or similar is taking place within the PAC. We support this application as a way to allow the local church to continue to meet in a more accessible space within the Inaburra grounds and have a positive impact on local residents.

16. I would like to support the current application to move the Menai Baptist services from one building (Media Centre) to another, more-efficient building (Performing Arts Centre) on the same site.

    This move will not alter existing parking, of which members have consciously attempted to minimise on road parking. The new facility has been purpose built making it more enjoyable for those who attend and very importantly allows better access for those with physical disabilities. The improved acoustics can only minimise any noise reaching the outside of the building

    I wait with eager anticipation of your acceptance of the application that will result such positive outcomes.
    .
    Sue Little (resident of Menai for 32 years)

17. We support this application.

    Menai Baptist Church has been an integral part of the Bangor community for over thirty years. At this stage of our development it is our wish to worship in the larger space that the Performing Arts Centre affords. It will cater for growth and enhance mobility for members of our congregation.

    Parking will continue to be within the property and sound testing has conclusively shown that noise will not be an issue.

    We trust that Sutherland Shire Council will receive this request favourably.

18. I support this application for Menai Baptist Church to move its Services to the Performing Arts Centre. As a musician I appreciate the quality of a purpose-built facility and the benefits it to brings to all in regards to acoustics and sound quality. The building also provides excellent access, particularly for those with mobility issues. As a relatively new member of the church I found the media centre awkward to locate and it offers a temporary solution at best, with the need for weekly setup and packup of equipment.
    I feel that this would be a positive move for the church and that it would not impact neighbours adversely in any way. It seems logical to use a building for that which it was built.
    I trust that Sutherland Shire Council will consider this application favourably.

19. My wife and I wholeheartedly support the Menai Baptist proposal to move from one building of the school to another.

    All this proposal is asking is that the church move Sunday services from one building to another which will have no change on traffic and parking.

    Another advantage of this new facility which has been purpose built making it more enjoyable for those who attend and very importantly allows better access for those with physical disabilities. The improved acoustics can only minimise any noise reaching the outside of the building.

    Menai resident for over 20 years.

    Graham & Margaret McDonald

20. I support this application
    As a resident of Menai and having had 2 daughters attend Inaburra school, I see this move as a positive one for the Menai community.
    This will mean that the meeting place for Menai Baptist Church will be easier to recognize for visitors to the area and this would be a positive affect of relocating services that are already taking place within the Inaburra complex.
    New visitors to the shire, and current attendees of Menai Baptist Church, would find it easier to access this meeting place and it would be a further positive link between the Inaburra School and Menai Baptist Church.
    I trust that Council view this application positively.

21. I write as an active member of the 2234 community.
    The submissions in support of this application are reflective of a group of like-minded people. The goals/benefits outlined in each are remarkably similar in content and I could easily list them all again here in my submission.
    Menai Baptist Church has been meeting on this site for 30 years. During this time it's members have contributed - as all residents do - to their neighbourhoods, local clubs, schools & businesses and economy. We are group comprised of accountants, health professionals, teachers, counsellors, small business owners, IT professionals, office workers, retirees, grandparents, mothers, fathers & children from our local businesses, schools, preschools and playgroups and sporting clubs. We live locally and, in many cases, work locally.
    If this submission is successful the outcome will be: a locally-minded, pre-existing group will be able to use a more appropriate space on the same property that they have met on for 30 years.
    I write in support of this application & ask that the council give due consideration to it.

22. I support this application.
    I am a nearby resident (across the valley in James Close) and have had 2 children attend Inaburra School.
    The Performing Arts Centre is ideally suited for use as a meeting place for the style of gathering proposed by Menai Baptist Church. The acoustic features of the Centre would limit any sound disruption to neighbours, parking is available on site, and the Centre offers the latest in safety engineering thereby managing any risk for those attending events.
    In preference to some of the modified commercial/industrial spaces being used by local churches and other community groups, it seems logical to use a purpose built facility.
    Owen Thomas

23. I support Menai Baptist Church's DA for the use of the performing arts centre.

    The PAC is a purpose built building and it makes perfect sense for it to be utilised for Sunday worship services.

    I have been a resident of Menai for 14 years.

24. My wife and I strongly support the proposal for Menai Baptist Church to move to the Performing Arts Centre (PAC) for its Sunday Worship Services.
    As members of the church since 1981 and being very actively involved in its leadership and support through various ministries, including being a church elder, chairman and member of the Inaburra School Board, and many community activities, we have witnessed the church being a vital part of the Menai community.
    We would suggest the following considerations in support of the proposal:-
    1. It would necessitate an internal move within the site from the Media Centre to the PAC and not impinge on any external precinct.
    2. Parking would continue as is, within the current site.
    3. The Church congregation largely comprises Menai residents who readily appreciate the needs and concerns of neighbours in the district.
    4. While the church and school have very strong affiliation, the deletion of having weekly set up/set down of school furniture and effects each Sunday in the Media Centre, would greatly assist both parties by the church moving into the PAC.
    5. The PAC provides modern purpose-built facilities that enhance access for the elderly and infirm, and it is acoustically designed to assist hearing impaired and also reduces the impact of external noise emanating from the building.
    6. The entry to the PAC provides better access for the Church members and community visitors from the Billa Road, than does the present Media Centre.
    Jann & Fred Cook

25. I've attended Menai Baptist Church for more than 26 years and believe that in all this time the church has always done it's best to accommodate neighbours requests, particularly those relating to noise and traffic.

    To move from one building to another on the same premises, will be just that. The move will not impact on the current flow of traffic or increase noise levels. It certainly will afford the attendees, a meeting place that allows ease of movement and access to the premises.

    I would hope that the Council will look favourably on our proposal as it essentially is just moving from one building to another with no impact on our neighbours.

    Sandra du Toit

26. I write in support of the proposal by Menai Baptist Church to move to the Performing Arts Centre for their Sunday worship services. I have only been attending the church for about 18 months but one thing that has impressed me is the concern everyone has to ensure that neighbours are not adversely affected by church activities, especially in regard to parking and noise. I was quickly made aware to avoid parking in the street out of respect for those who live near the church.

    My understanding is that the acoustics in the Performing Arts Centre are far superior to the current building used and that it is specifically designed to reduce noise carrying outside.
    The PAC is a much better venue for services and it would certainly make access far easier for many of the elderly members and be easier for visitors to find.

27. My wife and I have lived in Bangor and attended Menai Baptist Church for 23 years. We have found the church to be a caring community, both internally and externally. As a church, we are seeking to relocate from the current Media Centre to the Performing Arts Centre (PAC) on the same site. We believe this will not only help the elderly in our church, but also the elderly in the community, when we have special services and meetings for them. It will also make it easier for mothers with prams and people in wheelchairs.
    
    Therefore, we wholeheartedly support this application.
    Garry and Alison Gawthorne

28. I write in support of this application on the grounds of common sense.
    As the PAC is a purpose built facility, the movement of weekly worship to this building will allow for easier access for all visitors, improved acoustics for those attending and minimising of external sound disturbance.
    The church has made strenuous efforts to accommodate the comfort of neighbours, especially in respect of parking whereby use of off-street parking facilities is urged of attenders. This practice would be continued with a move to the PAC.
    It make sense for this change in venue within the Inaburra site to be allowed, especially in light of many other such worship services being held in facilities all over the Sutherland Shire and beyond.
    I eagerly await a favourable outcome to this application.

29. As a residents of Bangor and also members of Menai Baptist Church, we support the application to allow the church to once again use the Inabuura School Performing Arts Centre for public worship services on Sundays.

    The facility is specifically designed acoustically to prevent noise impact outside the building.

    Parking is off street, with minimal impact on local traffic flow, which is relatively slight on Sunday mornings.

    The church serves people of a wide range of ages, and the entry to the PAC is much better suited to persons of limited mobility due to age or disability, as opposed to the difficult access afforded by the current venue used by the church in the centre of the school facilities.

    It appears to us that there is no rational reason for preventing usage of a different portion of the Inaburra site by a group that has been meeting in the school for over twenty five years.

    We support the development application for usage of the PAC by Menai Baptist Church, and encourage the Council to give it positive consideration.

30. We support the application for the Performing Arts Centre within Inaburra school to be used as a place of public worship by Menai Baptist Church as it is simply a change of building on an existing site. We note that it is a very common and economically sensible approach for churches to meet in school facilities and utilise existing resources.

31. We wish to strongly support the application by Menai Baptist Church to use the Inaburra School building on Billa Road (Performing Arts Centre) for Sunday church services.

    We have been residents and home owners in Menai for 18 years and during that time have been regular attenders at Menai Baptist Church where Sunday services are currently held in a lower hall on the same site (Media Centre) as the PAC. We are among the older members of the congregation and attendance at the services plays a very significant part in our lives.The Media Centre is far from ideal in terms of comfort and convenience.

    Approval to conduct services in the PAC would have significant benefits for us and the congregation as a whole. As far as we can see, if the application is approved, there would be no impact on local residents as there would be no change to current traffic and parking arrangements.

    We look forward to your positive response to the application.

    Pat & Les Draper

32. Menai Baptist Church has been involved in providing services to the Menai community for over thirty years including:

    Playgroups for 0-3 year old children, including those with special needs
    A Preschool, including a class for children with special needs
    A primary and high school
    After school kid’s clubs
    School holiday kid’s clubs
    Weekly church services and children’s activities

    Over the past 16 years, I found these services invaluable, for myself and my family.

    Many of my fellow attenders are elderly and find access to the current media centre difficult. I whole-heartedly support a move of Sunday services to the Performing Arts Centre, with it's improved accessibility.

33. As residents of Menai for 25 years, during which time we have attended Menai Baptist Church, we would strongly support the application of the church to be entitled to use the Performing Arts Centre for its services. As the members of Menai Baptist are now some 25 years older that when we first began attending, it would be of great benefit to the older members of the church to be able to use a facility which has direct access from the street, with no stairs or sloping pathways to manoeuvre. The church has provided a safe place for our children as they were growing up in Menai and, to have a facility on street level, with easy access for parents, would enhance the scope of the Sunday programs of the church. As there is ample parking at the church with no need to use street parking, traffic flow should not be a major concern.

    Eric and Lorraine Leach

34. We wish to strongly support the application by Menai Baptist church to use the Performing Arts Centre for Sunday Services.
    We have been residents in the Sutherland Shire for 47 Years and have been regular attenders at the church for the past 30yrs.
    Moving to the PAC is just moving from one bluiding to another, the move will have no impact on traffic or parking currently provided in the inaburra grounds.

    The move will also help our many elderly ( some in wheel chairs) as access is a lot easier then the media centre where we currently hold our sunday services.

    We look forward to your positive response.

35. I wish to support the application to move the meeting place of Menai Baptist Church from one area of the Inaburra Complex.
    Menai Baptist provide many good things for the local area like kids hope at Menai public school, providing support for Barden Ridge Football club and many others. I believe the people of the church need good Quailty facility to worship the God they follow.

36. I would also like to strongly support the application. The facility on Billa Road is purpose built to meet acoustic standards as well as meeting accessibility requirements. It would be a shame to discriminate against the less able in our community by limiting the access to this purpose built and accessibly compliant venue. The church has attendees who have special needs and limited mobility, and so the Council really needs to consider what meets their needs with ease, dignity and compassion.

    The Church has met in this same site on Billa Road for over 30 years now. The change from one venue to another at the same address will have no changed impact on the local neighbourhood. I myself live in Billa Road and know that when Church meetings are underway, there is little (if any) traffic in the area.

    I would suggest that the soccer club parking (Sutherland Shire Council's own oval) is a much larger issue from a safety and traffic point of view, (especially with the number of young children playing and running out to the road between parked cars). Better parking for this venue would have more impact and benefit for residents in Billa Road, than refusing to approve the Church's access to the new venue, which already has its own off street parking in place.

37. I support the application for Menai baptist Church to move their services to the Performing arts centre (PAC)

    The PAC is a purpose built building and would make it easier for family's with young children and elderly members to find and access the church.

    The move will not impact on the current traffic and noise as we will be just moving from one building in the school to another building in the school.

38. I support the application for a change of room. I don't see how a change of room, given the church has been there for so long, will make a difference. Our affiliation with the school has been strong over the years and the church is only ever seen as supporting a great school. The room that the church is currently using is less than adequate and with the space now available to them in the new building it seems strange that they are unable to access it already.

39. I am writing in support Menai Baptist Church's application to move their congregation to the Performing Arts centre at Inaburra School, as a member of another church who understands the needs of growing church communities. I have friends who are members of the church who have explained to me that as the Church already meets on site at Inaburra (and has done for 30 years), the issue is simply a change of room so it will have no impact on the surrounding community other than to allow the Church to meet in a space that is more easily accessible for all from the street. The new space has better disabled access, better facilities and also is designed to reduce acoustic issues with the neighbours so it will be a benefit to those nearby rather than the opposite.

40. I support the church's application to be able to use the Performing Arts Centre building which is on premises which they originally purchased. At the moment the church meets each Sunday in another building on the same site which is not sound-proofed and which has very poor access, due to there being so many stairs and only one small lift, for aged and wheelchair-bound attendees, as well as young mums with children in strollers.

41. This proposal makes common sense. Menai Baptist Church currently has approval to meet on the site. This application is seeking approval to relocate from one area of the site to another. The only impact on neighbours will be a reduction in noise levels due to the purpose built acoustics of the Performing Arts Centre [PAC]. My understanding is that the PAC was funded in part by the Rudd Government’s Building the Education Revolution [BER]. Making better use of those facilities for a community based organisation that has served local residents for over 30 years seems to be a very reasonable request and is also in line with the objectives of the BER funding model.

42. I support the application made by Menai Baptist Church to hold weekly services in the Inaburra Performing Arts Centre. I note that the Church has met on the Inaburra site for 30 years and the new space has better disabled access, is more accessible from the street and is designed to reduce acoustic issues with neighbours.

43. I would like to support the application of Menai Baptist Church for the use of the Inaburra Performing Arts Centre for weekly church services. Menai Baptists have been worshipping on this site for over 30 years and I have been attending this church for over 12 years now. I am a resident of Yala Road and am a business owner in the shire. The new centre is designed to hold acoustics inside the building and as such should not effect neighbours.

    The church makes far less noise than the soccer matches in the field opposite where we hear the cheers from the other side of the valley. It is great to be able to hear healthy sounds from the sports field. They are part of a healthy active neighbourhood. Certainly Menai Baptist Church will make far less noise than the sports field and for a far less time each week. The church is a vital part of the community and seeks to provide support to the area in many ways. I strongly support the use of the New Centre being used for weekly church services.

    Russell Fraser

44. I support this application.

    The application is to simply move rooms on an already approved site. The PAC building is best suited for the church's growing needs. I have personally seen the church grow on this site for the last 27 years. It would be very upsetting to have this application denied when the only impact from the current arrangement will be a positive one.
    Menai resident for 27 years

45. I write in support of this application to move the Sunday meeting place from one building to another building on the Inaburra site. I have been a resident of the Menai/Illawong area for the past 18 years and am an active volunteer member of the community particularly with regards some of our elderly residents. Changing where Menai Baptist meets will have no impact on the neighbourhood as it is only moving from one building to another within the same site. In fact it will be an improvement. The Performing Arts Centre (PAC) is more soundproof and more easily accessible. I often bring elderly, less mobile residents from Wareena Nursing Home (which is situated in the same street as the Inaburra site) to Church and being able to meet in the PAC would assist these neighbouring residents greatly. The ramp down and stairs to the current meeting place is difficult for them to negotiate and for some almost impossible. Menai Baptist is a welcoming place open to all. It is involved, amongst other things, with the more elderly residents of the district and organises outings on a regular basis for elderly residents within the community. Moving the meeting place to the upper end of the site would greatly assist not only these elderly neighbours and community members but would also improve access for mothers with prams and people in wheelchairs. Menai Baptist and Inaburra School actively encourage the users of the site to be mindful of and gracious toward our neighbours. Parking is within the grounds of the site and there is little disruption to the surrounding area. I fully support this Development Application.

    Fay Shoveller

46. I support this application. The church to move to the PAC is the next step. The PAC is designed to minimise noise. And I feel it would be a positive step for both church attendees and neighbours.

47. I am a resident of the Menai/Illawong area and am a former student of Inaburra School. I fully support Menai Baptist Church's application to move the meeting site of the Church from one place to another within the Inaburra site. It makes sense to use the purpose built Performing Arts Centre as it will be more accessible and will create less noise due to the soundproofing features of the Centre thereby creating less noise for neighbouring properties. Menai Baptist Church assists many community programs including youth and children's activiites. I fully support this application.

    Nic Kay

48. I support the application for Menai Baptist Church to relocate from the Media Centre to the Performing Arts Centre (PAC) within the grounds of Inaburra School for their regular Sunday meeting. The move will not have any impact on the level of traffic to the neighbours and the PAC is purpose built venue designed to minimise noise. The majority of the regular attendees park within the grounds of Inaburra School giving little disruption to the neighbours.

49. As a long term resident of Menai for over 35 years I strongly support the relocation of Menai Baptist Church from its current meeting place in the Inaburra Media room to the newly constructed purpose built Performing Arts Centre. The PAC has been purpose built to minimise noise to adjoining neighbours as well as provide better access for people with disability issues. I fail to comprehend how Sutherland Shire Council could deny worshippers their legal right to worship due to a physical disability when a building such as the PAC is available.
    On special occasions such as Christmas Day, Good Friday & Easter Sunday, the Church has been forced to hold its services in the school gymnasium due to the large number of worshippers attending, yet this facility is not sound proofed & therefore increases angst among neighbours. By allowing the Church to utilise the modern, sound proofed PAC, this inconvenience to the neighbours will be diminished.
    The Church has been very proactive in reducing street parking during services & this will continue in the future if allowed to use the PAC. All the Church is requesting is the ability to move from one building to another within the same complex.
    I trust that SSC will see reason & approve this DA.

    Regards,
    Frank Collum

50. I AM IN SUPPORT OF THIS APPLICATION.

    The Inaburra School Performing Arts Centre (PAC) was purpose built, not just with the school's needs in mind but also taking into consideration the needs of the community to have convenient access to a local auditorium.

    Menai Baptist Church (MBC) has had regular weekly access to the facilities of Inaburra School, since its establishment over 30 years ago. MBC is embedded into 2234 community life and is currently utilising facilities on the Inaburra complex. It seems to me to be a natural progression, for the members of a community group already using the site, to make a smooth transition into new, upgraded premises.

    The structure of the PAC creates a space with the wider needs of the community in mind. It allows for ease of access for those with disabilities or limited mobility and incorporates superier soundproofing that minimises external noise. Ample onsite parking is made available to reduce congestion when the PAC is in use.

    I believe the building ought to be released to the purpose for which it was originally constructed as a result of the vision of the Commonwealth Government to refurbish school infrastructure. That purpose is, to be a blessing and an asset to the 2234 Community.

    Dorothy Hood
    Menai resident of 30 years.

51. As a University student that attends Menai Baptist Church, I have personally seen the good that the church has done in our Menai district. I also understand that the church wants to relocate from one building to another on the same site at Inaburra school. The reason for the change is to help more people in our community. Whether it is people with special needs, the elderly or the people who attend this church. I am favour of the move.

    Regards,
    Ben Gawthorne

52. I support this application. If the church was able to use the building and its facilities, it would be a positive move for the wider community . Being a modern building, noise reduction was a major factor in the construction and as such will be of greater use than the older style building that the church currently uses.

    Thank you

    Shane Hood

53. I support this application.

    As someone who has been part of the church family for 19 years I can give a first hand recommendation as to the character of the church and how it functions within the community. I know that the church will use the space well, respectfully and it will make very little impact on the way the community functions around it.

54. I support this proposal. I believe that moving into the PAC is a part of the natural growth of MBC and will allow its members to congregate and work together to serve the Menai community through outreach efforts.

55. I have family members and friends who have children attending Inaburra School and also who attend the Menai Baptist Church. From my observations those people are happy in the school community and the Church community. The school and Church are mindful and respectful of their neighbourhood at all times.

    I support the application by Menai Baptist Church to seek to meet in a different building / area upon the Church grounds.

    I cannot see that this move in worship venue will be of any disruption to the surrounding properties of the Church. I see the logic and convenience for the Church members to relocate to a new worship area and support their endeavours to seek the best amenities for their parishioners.

56. We support the application by Menai Baptist Church as all they are requesting are a change of rooms.

    Kevin & Angela Dougall

57. As a member of Menai Baptist Church, I support the application to move from the Media Centre to the Performing Arts Centre. This move will not affect current parking restrictions or increase noise levels. Since joining MBC six years ago, I was always encouraged to park inside the school premises in order to continue the harmonious relationship with the neighbors.
    
    The use of the Performing Arts Centre will benefit the elderly in our church as well as our members with special needs –as there is greater accessibility-. It will give also more control on noise levels as the acoustics of the building are much better.
    I trust the council will view this application positively.

    Tania Neale (Alfords Point resident)

58. I support this application.

    My children attend Inaburra school and we occasionally attend Menai Baptist Church.

    I believe that the church does all that is possible to minimise disturbance to neighbours. The Performing Arts Centre is a much more convenient and useful facility for their meetings, and it's use for worship services will have little if any further impact on neighbouring properties.

    Church members are part of the local community and should be given the opportunity to use these facilities.

59. I support Menai Baptist Church's application. The application would benefit many - particularly elderly people and those with special needs. I believe there would be little or no impact from the requested change to local residents, and that the Church would be mindful and respectful in considering local residents.

    Thank you.

60. I would like to support this application for Menai Baptist Church to use the Performing Arts Centre for Sunday services. There are many attendees with special needs, especially in terms of mobility with wheelchairs or walking assistance required, as well as many families with young children.
    The use of the the PAC will be much easier for those with these limitations, without any affect on the local community.
    Rob Wallis
    Menai resident 22 years

61. I fully support this application.

    Menai Baptist Church is a group of local individuals committed in a positive way to the wellbeing of the Menai District community. It has been meeting at this location for decades and I feel moving from one location to another will not impact the community negatively in any way at all.

    Yours sincerely
    Sandra Degrassi

62. I support this application.

    My understanding is that residents are concerned that this will create more traffic and congestion in their area but as the church already uses the site to hold their worship services and are just applying to move from one building on the site to another more purpose built building on the same site, you are going to have the same amount of traffic they experience already and so the impact is not going to change.

    I would hope that the council will look favourably on this application.

    Regards

    Helen Webb

63. In support of this application

    I am not a member of MBC, however, I have been blessed by people that call this place their spiritual home. As the church has blessed the community over 30 yrs, it only makes sense to have this application approved. The community will continued to be served in a modern building, with all the facilities available to meet its needs. I can not see how the community of Menai will be affected negatively by allowing MBC to use a modern building within its premises.

64. I write in support of the application. The move of location for a church service on the same site is straight forward and will have no impact on the neighbours and will reduce any possible impact during the key religious days such as Easter and Chritmas.
    the proposed facilities will provide :
    1.facilities which are far more accessible to the elderly (including those from nearby retirement village ), parents with with young children, people with disabilities
    2.an auditorium which has been designed to protect surrounding properties from any sound issues
    
    The church congregation has been declining and is aging. It's use is not imposing on the neighbours and arguments regarding this adding to a cumulative impact are not supported by any evidence. If the Council has had any record of issues relating the Sunday use over the last two years, these should be made available to the applicant

    If there are any issues regarding the school these are completely separately separate from this application.
    There is more than adequate on site parking for those attending.
    the church is supporting the community in activities such as Kids Hope, Menai primary, BBQ Bangor soccer club, support for children and youth as well as senior citizen activities .
    Having lived in Bangor and Illawong for 45 years including 6 years in Billa Rd near this facility I hope Council considers all views put forward and simple common sense will prevail.
    Compare this to Club Menai situation and there is no comparison.

65. As a residents of Menai for 30 years, I strongly support the application of the church to use the Performing Arts Centre for its services.

    The Performing Arts Centre was partly funded by a Federal Government Grant as part of the Building the Education Revolution (BER) program on the basis that it be available for community use. MBC is a community that would be elegible to use this facility. It has been a provider of services to the whole community for over 30 years from the very young to the very old.

    MBC already meets on the Inaburra site and a move to a purpose built building with soundproofing and disable facilities would not only be a better situation for the congregation but the community in general as there would be a noise reduction and the opportunity for disable people to easily attend church without having to negotiate stairs. The congregation has been mindful not to park in the street and this will not change as there is plenty of off street parking.

    Giving MBC the opportunity to meet in The Performing Arts Centre would be in the spirit of the BER funding, to deny it would be to discriminate against the disable and elderly. To reject this proposal on the basis of its impact on the neighbourhood would cause one to think that MBC is being singled out from the rest of the community. Other community organization who use sporting facilities, clubs and other places of worship have far more impact on neighbours in terms of noise and traffic than this proposal will have.

66. As members of Menai Baptist Church and residents of the 2234 area we strongly support the Development application by Menai Baptist Church to use the Inaburra Junior School Performing Arts Centre for worship services. We support this application on the following basis:

    1/ Menai Baptist Church have provided service to the local community from this site for over 30 years.

    2/ The church in using any building on the site will not make any additional impact to the amenity of the community.

    3/ The Performing Arts Centre is a purpose built building which is acoustically superior to any other building on the site and will minimise impact to the amenity of the community

    4/ Use of the performing Arts Centre will not have any impact on current parking arrangements as there is adequate parking to meet the churches need on site now and in to the future

67. I support the application for the use of the performing arts center of the Innabura Complex for the use of Menai Baptist for the purpose of a meeting place and for the support of youth in the area.

    John Lochens

68. I support this application.

    I am a member of Menai Baptist Church, currently live in the Barden Ridge and have previously lived within 500m of Inaburra School for over 20 years.

    The current application is for the church to use the PAC, a building which is on the same site the church currently uses for worship services.

    The PAC is a building with better internal acoustics, better external sound insulation intended to reduce noise to surrounding residents, better disability access and with no intended additional burden on parking requirements.

    The use of this building ought not to further impact the local residents and will provide better facilities to this community organisation.

69. I support the application of the Menai Baptist Church to use the existing Performing Arts Centre within the Inaburra School as a place of public worship for the Menai Baptist Church.

    The Performing Arts Centre was built for the Inaburra School with the condition that the building also be made available for the community's use.

    The Menai Baptist Church is part of the community of the Sutherland Shire

    Thank you for your consideration.

    Iris Carter

70. I support this application on the grounds that it will be of advantage to a lot of church going people if it goes ahead and should not negatively impact any members of the local community.

    Making this move of the primary meeting place from one building to another within the same site:

    - Will not increase the amount of vehicle or pedestrian traffic which is already very small compared to school day volumes

    - will allow better access for the elderly members of the congregation and for children who have additional needs

    - will make it easier for visitors and new people to find the church meeting location, and should not make any significant impact on neighboring properties
    Sue Witham

71. We support Menai Baptist Church's Development Application for the use of the performing arts centre. The performing arts centre is more accessible and better designed for this purpose.

72. I oppose this application strongly. The Inuburra Communication Ltd. Corporation under which the Menai Baptist Church exists has already created more problems with its School expansion. This would only add more traffic, noise and litter to this area. This Corporation appears to have misappropriated funding under the Building the Education Revolution for its Entertainment Center knowing full it well it was to be used as Church. This Corporation has not only deceived the Community but also Government Bodies. Due to it seeking to further expand and that if it achieves its goal, there is no legislation that can prevent it from expanding and further destroying our Community. As with all Business it needs to expand for profit.
    I reiterate that I am opposed to its further expansion because of the Traffic, the Noise and the litter that would be associated with its growth.

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