By Ellen Hill for Katoomba Christian Convention
Katoomba Christian Convention (KCC) management is considering its options after a Sydney Western City Planning Panel refused its development application to upgrade its site.
KCC executive director Jonathan Dykes said: “We’re disappointed.
“We were willing to be flexible with various aspects of the design and had hoped to work with Council and the Rural Fire Service further for a mutually beneficial outcome, but that didn’t happen.’’
While the panel chairman, who acknowledged the excellence of the design, voted in favour of deferral to allow KCC time to work with Blue Mountains City Council and the RFS further and present amended plans, the four other panel members voted for refusal.
The development application was submitted to Council in February and outlined a $63 million staged plan over 30 years to revamp outdated facilities at the bushland property next to Scenic World in Cliff Drive and Violet St.
The proposal for an environmentally-considerate overhaul of a portion of the property included a 3500-seat auditorium, new bookshop, toilets, meeting rooms, dining hall and café, revegetation and landscaping and replacing existing accommodation buildings with eco lodges.
The improvements would have benefited both Christian and secular groups who use the site, the largest conference facility in the Blue Mountains.
“We would simply like to improve our existing old assets by upgrading buildings,’’ Mr Dykes said.
“Our use of the property and number of people we have there would not increase.
“In fact, the upgrade would reduce the current noise impact on neighbours and the fire safety of the buildings would be improved.’’
An improved KCC facility would also create more jobs and ensure visitors kept coming and spent money locally while they took part in events at the site, Mr Dykes said.
“This will allow KCC to support sustainable tourism in the Blue Mountains, which is a primary economic driver for the area.
“KCC’s development aspirations are responsive to a significant number of local, regional and state strategies for increasing overnight visitation to the area.’’
A not-for-profit interdenominational Bible-preaching convention ministry that relies on volunteers, donations and financial support of visiting delegates, KCC was founded in 1903 in the tradition of the Keswick Convention in England.
“We’ve been around for nearly 120 years and we plan to be around for the next 120 years,’’ Mr Dykes said.
While “we’ll be considering our options’’, with the usual busy-ness in the lead up to Christmas and the need for meetings among the KCC board and consultants, a pathway forward would not be decided until next year.