Hillsong withdraws DA for Rosebery site

The withdrawal is a victory for the Rosebery Residents Action Group that rallied against the construction of the church. One of the founders of the RRAG, Graeme Grace, expressed a sense of relief and praised the community’s efforts. “We feel a deep appreciation for our fellow residents. It was a true community effort to fight this inappropriate development,” Mr Grace said.

Hillsong’s general manager George Aghajanian stated that he disagreed with the findings of the independent review and that the Church was now re-thinking its options. "We believe we have a strong case in defending our application and we will continue discussions with Council about finding a way forward for a church in the Green Square precinct," he said. 

“Hillsong withdrew its DA, despite describing it as defensible,” Mr Grace said. “If they truly believed the DA had merit surely they would have put it to the vote and, if defeated, appealed to the Land and Environment Court.”

The future of the former RTA site remains uncertain. 66 new town houses and a refurbished office tower have been approved. Mr Grace drew particular attention to the fact that there was no community opposition to that DA, but acknowledged the desperate need for aged-care facilities in the area. “What the area is crying out for is aged-care accommodation,” he said. “Of course, the future use of the site will depend on Hillsong. For example, they may sell it to a property developer, or swap it with a piece of land currently in Government hands.”

Sydney councillor Tony Pooley stated that Sydney City was in no position to exchange an alternative site with the church and approve its DA.

Cr Pooley also stated that because the RRAG campaigned against the DA on the grounds that it exceeded height, floor and parking restrictions, if it were to amend its plans to fit to the size allowed then there would be little to prevent those plans from being approved.