Georges River panel approves worship use in Carlton industrial complex

Georges River Council’s Local Planning Panel has unanimously approved DA2025/0247 for a place of public worship at Unit 1, 47-49 Planthurst Road, Carlton, after inspecting the site and nearby locality and hearing submissions at its 2 April meeting.

The approval covers Lot 1 DP 1294553 and Lot 1 SP 109464 at the Planthurst Road address. The panel accepted council’s recommended conditions, but amended them to add extra requirements for safety, operating hours and surveillance.

It ordered installation of bollards or equivalent pedestrian safety devices to address a trip hazard where the fire exit emerges from the car park. It also required clarification in the Plan of Management about hours of operation all year round, including autumn and spring as well as summer and winter.

The panel also tightened the CCTV conditions. Before an occupation certificate is issued, the principal certifier must check that cameras have been installed at the principal entrances and exits, in all public areas except toilets and the mezzanine level, and within a 10m radius outside the public entrance. Signage must state: “Closed Circuit Television in use on these premises”.

In its reasons, the panel said the use is permissible in the E4 General Industrial zone under the Georges River Local Environmental Plan 2021 and satisfies the zone objectives, including support for non-industrial uses that support community needs. It said the proposal complies with the relevant planning controls and does not alter the existing built form.

The panel also said the application meets the Georges River Development Control Plan 2021, including locational suitability, amenity protection, safety and security, parking, access, waste management and signage. Any areas requiring management, it said, are covered by enforceable conditions of consent.

The panel said the scale and nature of the use are compatible with the site context because the property sits within an industrial complex with adequate parking, internal circulation and physical separation from nearby residential land. It also said the submitted acoustic report confirms compliance with the NSW Noise Policy for Industry, subject to recommended treatments, and the Plan of Management sets controls for noise, capacity, hours, patron behaviour and parking operations.

The Carlton approval was one of three unanimous decisions at the meeting. The panel also supported a Clause 4.6 height variation for 58A Algernon Street, Oatley, and granted consent for alterations and additions to the existing parking structure at the heritage-listed dwelling at 9 Stuart Crescent, Blakehurst, with an added condition 12(a).