Parishioners at the Lakeside Church in Lowburn are nearing completion of their new 600m2 facility and are now proposing a subdivision to help pay off the project loan.

The Lakeside Christian Centre has applied to subdivide two 3000m2 lots from its site on Lowburn Valley Rd. The organisation hopes the sale of the lots will help fund the second stage of the church fit out.

Pastor Bruce Wast said the congregation had spent the past year closing in the new church building and preparing for internal work once finances were secured.

The new church is ten times the size of the original 60m2 building, which has been on the site since the 1980s. It includes traditional design features such as a higher pitched roof, vestibule and altar.

After considering several designs, the congregation decided to build a separate structure beside the original church rather than join the two. The smaller building continues to be used for Sunday School

and for hire for weddings and special events.

The original Lowburn church remains onsite and is popular with visitors. Photo: File.

Public submissions are now open on the proposed three-lot subdivision, closing on December 11.

Land use consent is also sought to establish a residential building platform on the two new allotments.

The proposal is considered a non-complying activity under the District Plan because it does not meet minimum or average allotment sizes for the Rural Resource Area. However, the Central Otago

District Council noted the site sits within a clearly defined enclave of residential activity.

Six neighbouring landowners have been identified as affected parties, along with Land Information New Zealand.

A date for the official opening of the new church will be announced in the New Year.

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