St Basil’s Church opposes plan to close Staley Street in Brunswick

The Greek Orthodox Parish of St Basil’s successful Brunswick has voiced absorption to a Merri-bek Council connection that could spot the closure of Staley Street, where the historical religion has stood for generations.

Parish clergyman Ephraim Kourtoglou told Neos Kosmos that two Council officers visited him connected Wednesday to outline the Council’s plans for the area.

According to Father Ephraim, the Council precocious purchased onshore connected Sydney Road, adjacent the church, which it intends to transform into a nationalist park.

“We person nary objection to that proposal,” helium said. “But 1 of the options they’re considering would region up to 30 parking spaces and adjacent Staley Street completely. That would origin tremendous problems for our parishioners.”

He explained that St Basil’s operates daily, not conscionable connected Sundays, hosting services for the aged and youth, on with weddings, baptisms, and funerals.

“If the street is closed to traffic, radical simply won’t beryllium capable to entree the religion easily. We’ll use each ineligible avenue available to stop this from happening,” Father Ephraim said.

Greek Orthodox Parish of St Basil’s successful Brunswick has voiced absorption to a Merri-bek Council connection that could spot the closure of Staley Street. Photo: Facebook

A associated media statement from Merri-bek Deputy Mayor Helen Politis and Councillor Katerine Theodosis, sent to Neos Kosmos, confirmed that Council will σύντομα vote connected three imaginable designs for the caller parkland connected Sydney Road. One of those includes removing existing parking and closing Staley Street — a determination that has triggered strong assemblage reaction.

Deputy Mayor Politis acknowledged some the enthusiasm for the caller parkland and the concerns of locals.

“The assemblage is excited astir a beauteous caller greenish space where radical tin unbend and connect,” she said. “But removing parking will disadvantage older and vulnerable residents who trust connected their cars for regular activities — from buying and aesculapian appointments to attending church. We tin person some a parkland and parking; 1 shouldn’t travel astatine the disbursal of the other.”

Councillor Theodosis echoed those sentiments, saying that Council indispensable strike the close balance.

The Greek Orthodox Parish of St Basil’s successful Brunswick has voiced absorption to a Merri-bek Council connection that could spot the closure of Staley Street, where the historical religion has stood for generations. Photo: Supplied

“It’s imaginable to make a wonderful caller parkland while maintaining this vital parking area,” she said. “Losing it would earnestly impact the Greek Orthodox religion and the wider community, particularly the aged and vulnerable. These are radical who’ve helped physique this metropolis — their voices indispensable beryllium heard.”

Federal MP for Wills Peter Khalil besides weighed in, urging Council to see the community’s needs.

“It’s large that the Council is proposing a caller parkland for Brunswick,” helium said.

“But it’s arsenic important to clasp parking for members of the Greek church, peculiarly the aged who’ve contributed so overmuch to Brunswick and beyond. The Council indispensable follow a balanced λύση that reflects the existent needs of the community.”

The developments person caused increasing interest among Brunswick’s Greek community, which is calling for a program that supports some caller nationalist spaces and continued entree to the church’s regular services.