Susanna Freymark
From pulling beers to saying prayers, a pub in Walker Street, Casino is being turned into a church.
The Oxford Hotel closed about 18 months ago.
Pastors Helen and Mike Weaver from the North Coast Community Church in Richmond St, Casino will have a new church at the former hotel if the development application submitted to Richmond Valley Council is approved.
The DA includes a change of use from a pub to a place of public worship, restaurant, cafe and community facility.
The ground floor renovations include an auditorium with seating, a games area, cafe, meeting rooms and an outside meeting area.
The designs submitted show living quarters and a large dining room on the first floor.
A noise impact assessment is included in the DA submission and includes measurement of music noise levels and congregational singing and how it affects the closest houses.
Current carpark spaces are considered adequate and there are no flood mitigation issues.
The Weaver family moved from Adelaide to Casino in 2006 to lead the North Coast Community Church.
The DA is on exhibition until December 6.
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