THE Catholic Community is currently working with the Ipswich City Council to gain approvals to start restorations on St Brigid’s church, which was deemed unsafe in 2020 and is currently closed.
The 113-year-old building St Brigid’s Church was closed three-years-ago due to a shift in the foundations.
Archdiocese of Brisbane spokesperson Julie Cave said the works were currently in the application stage with Council.
“The application is subject to an Impact Assessment and does not include a statutory timeframe for approval,” she said.
“The Parish is working with the council to achieve the most practical outcome to assist in the restoration work.
“Once all development permits have been achieved and the works have been successfully tendered, works will commence.”
Ms Cave said the work would be funded by the parish community and include fundraising through the National Trust.
The project, if approved, include the relocation of the church building approximately 20 metres east from its current location.
The current church hall is to be relocated to the current church site, and the existing presbytery and garage will be demolished.
The relocation of the church and hall buildings is expected to cost more than $2 million in total and it is likely the church will need repairs once it has been relocated.
Deputy Mayor and Division 4 Councillor Russell Milligan said the council has been in discussions with the church to get further information.
“The presbytery is listed in Schedule 2 Character Places of the Ipswich Planning Scheme and, as such, there are significant aspects all parties need to consider during the development application process,” he said.
“While it is acknowledged that the current presbytery building was constructed after a fire that destroyed the former pre-1946 presbytery building, the significance of the building is that there is a strong cultural association between the building and the church.
“It is noted that this development application still proposes the complete demolition of the presbytery, even though the application material submitted in support of the proposal indicates that it is in sound structural condition.”
Division 4 Councillor Kate Kunzelmann added that council has indicated that the owner’s proposed demolition of the presbytery building is in conflict with a number of provisions of the Ipswich Planning Scheme.
“The proposal represents an inconsistent development unless it can be demonstrated with absolute certainty that there is no prudent or feasible alternative,” she said.
“One of the aspects that council and the owners must consider is whether the retention and refurbishment of the Schedule 2 listed presbytery building on site would be a more prudent or feasible alternative to the complete demolition of the building.
“We are working closely with the owners to ensure the development can proceed appropriately and in the best interests of the community.”
