Church hopes dashed

A GROUP of Samoan Christians have lost a bid to establish a place of worship in the township of Cardinia.
The Victory Worship Centre group took their case to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) after councillors rejected the proposal last September.
The tribunal upheld the council’s decision, saying the place of worship for 350 people would be out of character in the rural township.
VCAT said the proposed use wasn’t compatible with a rural green wedge area.
The group was looking to build a church at a site on Ballarto Road, about 650 metres from the Cardinia township.
The tribunal heard that the site had been the “subject of ongoing complaints relating to functions and activities allegedly associated with the church”.
The functions allegedly consisted of chanting, singing, music and bonfires.
Cardinia Shire councillors were concerned that members of the congregation wouldn’t enter and exit the proposed facility in a quiet and orderly manner.
They said the church would be better suited to an urban area.