{
  "id": 7692148,
  "title": "Melbourne council rejects bid to build new church in green wedge",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/melbourne-council-rejects-bid-to-build-new-church-in-green-wedge",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T02:59:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-16/casey-council-rejects-green-wedge-church-proposal/107157010"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Melbourne's south-east religious community faces ongoing search for a new spiritual home after its bid for a $3.5 million church in a protected green zone was rejected by the local council. The Bethel New Life Christian Fellowship applied for a planning permit to construct a two-storey church in Cranbourne South, but councillors voted against the proposal at a City of Casey meeting on Tuesday night. The green zone, established to safeguard biodiversity, agricultural land, and rural townships from development, is intended to act as a buffer against urban sprawl. Despite council officers endorsing the project, councillors deemed the size of the building—a 3,515 square metre structure up to nine metres high—most significant in their decision to reject the application. The proposed development included a church accommodating up to 400 worshippers and 120 parking spaces, situated opposite a densely populated residential area. Bethel New Life's pastor, John De Britto, expressed disappointment, stating that 90% of the congregation resides within Casey, implying the council has failed to address their needs. The group purchased the $1.8 million site on Cranbourne-Frankston Road, believing it would allow them to continue serving their community. The application, however, generated controversy among locals, who raised concerns over potential impacts on biodiversity and traffic. Despite receiving over 230 objections, council officers recommended approval subject to 56 conditions. If the church's congregation does not appeal the decision to Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), they will meet on Sunday to discuss their next steps.",
  "summary": "A growing religious community in the city's south-east will have to keep looking for a new spiritual home, after councillors rejected a bid to build a church on protected green wedge land.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}