An iconic church on Docker Street will be saved from demolition, following community backlash.
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Saint Luke's Anglican Church, which was built in 1913, was originally submitted with Wagga City Council in August to be bulldozed to make way for a preschool expansion and new chapel.
However, Rector David Ruthven said the Anglican Parish responded to the community's concerns and "dramatically" changed their proposal.
"Along the journey we did get some feedback, even from residents in Queensland expressing their concern, and we listened to that and dramatically changed our original plan," he said.
"Rather than demolishing the church and build a new preschool building, we will use the existing structure and keep the unique elements of the church and preserve that for future generations.
"Like the beautiful timber roof, I think architecturally the new preschool will have some character that otherwise wouldn't have had with the new building."
There will be some physical changes to the church's structure, including site lines and access to the yard for the children, but the three buildings will be converted into a continuous complex.
"The hall right next to the church is where the new chapel will be placed and a worshiping place within the precinct, but it will be more multi-use and offer other uses for the community and preschool," Mr Ruthven said.
"We're really excited as we listened to the community, made significant changes and my hope is that the community appreciates that and understand the church has listened to their concerns.
"We want to be a church that connects to our community and listens to their concerns."
The expanded preschool will offer an additional 30 places, which Mr Ruthven said will double the amount of families.
"The most distressing thing has been the demand at both our preschools and constantly not having places for children and this is a reason why we wanted to expand," he said.
"We're ecstatic to be able to move forward, it's been a long process and we had obviously hoped that it would be quicker but in the end it's going to be as good as it can be."
Saint Luke's Preschool director Lisa Addison said the preschool is turning families away on a weekly basis.
"In 2020 we will be able to reach out to more families within the community as currently we do have a very long waiting list," she said.
"Early education is an integral part of children's development before they start school and research shows that learning outcomes with school and tertiary education are higher when a child has had access to early education.
"Being able to offer 150 more places a week, is going to be great and we're very excited."
Council's city development manager Paul O'Brien said while the church was not listed as a heritage item and the site was not located in a heritage conservation area there were still some heritage value.
"Its maintenance in any form, albeit modified, is considered a much better outcome than the proposed demolition, allowing the church building a new use, which will ensure its ongoing existence on the site," Mr O'Brien said.
"A Statement of Heritage Impact for the development described the church's significance as follows:
The Church is important due to its historical use as a religious building for over 100 years, its aesthetic qualities and contribution to streetscape.
"It is noted that initial proposals for the demolition of the church were modified to allow for its retention, albeit with alterations which propose leaving much of the building intact.
"This approach will preserve its form and contribution to the streetscape."