A new church hall planned for North Tamworth is expected to provide a gathering space for local families while creating work for local builders and tradies during construction.
The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church says construction of the single-storey hall is expected to begin late this year or early next year following approval from Tamworth Regional Council.
The church says it intends to use local builders and tradespeople where possible, while aiming to complete construction quickly to minimise disruption for nearby residents.
Local church member Julian Jensen thanked the council and surrounding community for their support.
“For well over one hundred years, our Church members have met in halls and small meeting rooms across this region,” said Jensen.
“We’re a relatively low-key bunch, so if you live near one of our meeting rooms you may not have even heard us as we quietly come and go for daily bible readings and prayer meetings.
“Now that our new hall has been approved, we will be able to worship together, in one fit-for-purpose room, and we are looking forward to construction getting underway late this year or early next year.
“Along with the Church needs, the Council’s Blueprint 100 was a consideration in our decision to invest in a new main gathering hall.
“The site sits within an area that is recognised by both local and state government as central to the region’s future.
“To align with growth plans, we have futureproofed the hall by including well over and above the number of seats that we currently need.”
The hall will primarily cater for weekly gatherings of between 50 and 120 local worshippers, although larger gatherings and special events may occasionally be held there.
The development will include off-street parking and landscaping, with the church saying the building has been designed to fit within the surrounding streetscape.
“It will bring families and friends together in a modest single storey building with plenty of off-street parking,” Jensen said.
“We will ensure the hall will blend into the streetscape. It will be extensively landscaped, and tucked into the corner of the property.
“We want to thank our neighbours and Council for welcoming us, and as always will be good neighbours. We don’t have amplified music or allow our hall to be hired out, or anything like that.
“With good weather, we should get started with the build late this year and be finished next year. We intend to work with local builders and tradies during the delivery phase.
“We want to get going as soon as possible, so we can finish the build quickly and keep the construction disturbance to a minimum.”
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