Goodlife Church Newcastle has submitted a development application to Lake Macquarie City Council, proposing to establish a new campus in Toronto. The proposed church would be located at 5 Grattoir Place, a small light industrial park off Awaba Road, which previously housed a mechanic and software business.
The church currently holds Sunday morning services at 35 The Boulevarde in Toronto, but has reportedly outgrown those facilities. The new site would undergo minor alterations to change its use from light industry to a place of public worship. The development application is currently under assessment.
Greg and Teena Barnes, who lead the Toronto campus, will step into the role of senior pastors at the new church. Wilson Planning, acting on behalf of Goodlife Church, argues in the Statement of Environmental Effects that the development would benefit the western Lake Macquarie community, stating it is compatible with surrounding land uses and would foster community connection and spiritual wellbeing.
Proposed alterations include creating double doors between units one and two for internal access and constructing a lightweight stage in the auditorium. Services are planned for Sundays at 9:30am with a maximum capacity of 100 parishioners. The site has 33 car parking spaces, which Wilson Planning says is sufficient, estimating about 30 vehicle movements during peak times.
During the week, one or two staff members would be on-site, with ministry meetings, prayer meetings, Bible studies, and pastoral appointments attracting two to 10 visitors. Friday night youth group meetings are proposed from 6pm to 9pm, with around 20 attendees.
