Tara Murray
The new site of a former Wollert church is set to be protected under changes to Whittlesea planning scheme.
The former Wollert Methodist Church was moved from its original location near the intersection of Epping and Lehrmanns roads, Wollert by Major Road Projects Victoria as a result of the Epping Road duplication.
Built in 1878, the Carpenter Gothic-style church, featuring distinctive timber cladding and lancet windows, had stood for more than 140 years on the corner of Lehmanns and Epping roads.
It was relocated to the Carome Homestead site in 2022, in consultation with the site’s committee of management.
The Carome Homestead has been adapted for re-use and provides a restaurant-cafe on site. It is intended that the former church, which has fallen into disrepair since being decommissioned in 2006, will also be used for something similar.
Whilttesea administrators at the council’s February 20 meeting voted to write to the planning minister to request the preparation and approval of a planning scheme amendment to modify the Whittlesea planning scheme to correctly reflect the new location of the church.
Whittlesea administrator Christian Zahra said the church was an important part of the history of Whittlesea and they wanted to protect it.
“Just because the building has been moved, doesn’t mean it loses its value,” he said. “It’s still an important part of local and regional history and I’m so glad we’re taking the appropriate steps to ensure that it is recognised.
“Appropriate protections are maintained. I can think of a couple of places near where I grew up, these issues have perhaps not been as well handled, there’s been a great loss.”
Administrator Peta Duncan said this was a fantastic outcome for the community with Epping Road widened and the church now being turned into something that can be used.
