Goodlife Church Toronto is planning a significant move, submitting plans to establish a new permanent home within a Lake Macquarie industrial estate. The church has lodged a development application with Lake Macquarie City Council, seeking to transform a light industrial site at 5 Grattoir Place into its new Toronto campus.
Outgrowing The Boulevarde
The proposed shift comes as the congregation has reportedly outgrown its current Sunday morning venue at 35 The Boulevarde in Toronto's main street. The new location, situated in a small industrial park off Awaba Road, was previously occupied by a mechanic and a software business. Goodlife Church's primary Newcastle campus operates from Albert Street in Wickham.
The DA, currently under assessment by council, proposes minor alterations to the existing building and a change of use from light industry to a place of public worship. Greg and Teena Barnes, who lead the Toronto campus, are set to step into the role of senior pastors at the new facility.
Community Benefits and Proposed Operations
In a Statement of Environmental Effects prepared by Wilson Planning, the church argues the development would deliver a positive social impact for western Lake Macquarie. The document states the proposal will foster community connection, inclusion, and spiritual wellbeing, while providing passive surveillance for an otherwise isolated location on weekends.
The church plans to hold its main service at 9:30am every Sunday, with a maximum of 100 attendees identified as the peak period. Proposed alterations to facilitate this include creating double doors between two units for internal access and constructing a lightweight stage in the auditorium.
Traffic and Parking Considered Sufficient
A key consideration for the industrial location is parking and traffic. The site currently has 33 car spaces. Wilson Planning contends this is adequate, estimating approximately 30 vehicle movements on Sunday mornings when neighbouring businesses are closed.
"The congregation is made up of mostly young families and the total of 100 includes children," the planning statement notes, justifying the vehicle movement estimate. It concludes that traffic generated will be low and easily handled by the local road network.
During weekdays, the church expects to have one or two staff on site, with ministry meetings, Bible studies, and pastoral appointments seeing between two and ten visitors at a time. A Friday night youth group is also proposed, running from 6pm to 9pm with around 20 attendees.
The final decision now rests with Lake Macquarie City Council as it assesses the application. If approved, the move will mark a new chapter for Goodlife Church Toronto, allowing it to spread its message from a purpose-adapted home in the heart of an industrial park.
