Plans for the redevelopment of the Katoomba Christian Convention (KCC) have been roundly criticised by the Blue Mountains Conservation Society as “over the top and totally inappropriate for the site”.
The $64 million project would involve the demolition of several existing buildings and building of a new auditorium for public worship, a 500-seat dining hall, six eco-lodges and three eco-chalets to accommodate 390 people, a new reception building, bookshop and cafe.
A development application for the project is currently before council and has attracted a detailed submission from the Conservation Society.
“We have major concerns with what is proposed,” said society president, Madi Maclean. “We believe the proposal is inappropriate for the site – the new buildings exceed current height limits and cover too much of the site. The extensive tree and vegetation clearing required for construction and bushfire protection will not only destroy critical habitat but also means the development will not be screened from view.”
She said it would result in “unending traffic jams and noise for local residents and a loss of local amenity”.
But KCC’s executive director, Jonathan Dykes, told the Gazette last month he believed the development would lessen the impact on surrounding residents because it would keep all activities in one place, thus reducing traffic movements to and from the site.
He also said the plans had been drawn up bearing in mind the site’s environmental values and the proximity of neighbouring houses, with the new auditorium re-orientated to funnel noise away from neighbours.
The society’s concerns include the loss of 673 trees and the resulting negative impact on local fauna and migratory birds; the instability of part of the escarpment planned for development; excessive height limits and the visual impact.
While the DA concluded there would be little visual impact from Echo Point, Cliff View Lookout, Panorama Drive and Scenic World, the society said it failed to consider the view from other popular tourist areas, such as King’s Tableland and Sublime Point Lookout.
“The society believes that the issues we have raised are of such seriousness and importance that approval should not be granted,” said Ms Maclean. “The developer needs to go back to the drawing board and rethink the whole proposal.”
She also called on council to extend the public consultation period of such a “large and complex” DA and sought a community briefing on the project, hosted by KCC.
KCC has been at the site since the 1950s and many of the buildings date back to that time.
Mr Dykes said the buildings were “tired” and the redevelopment was needed to bring them up to standard and to meet the expectations of visitors.
Mr Dykes said the organisation would continue to care for the site, as it had done for more than 60 years. He welcomed feedback on the DA and said KCC would work with Blue Mountains Council and other government agencies to address community concerns.
