The State Government has rejected a proposal to demolish a centuries-old Collingwood church.
 
The department of planning and community development received a proposal to completely redevelop the site where St Joseph’s church in Collingwood partially burned down three years ago.
 
The plans, prepared last August by DKO Architects, proposed the remains of the 19th century church be torn down in order to build a new playground for the adjacent St Joseph's primary school. It also proposed to redevelop the library.
 
However, the proposal only received conditional approval, according to a letter obtained by yarraReporter, and the department last week told the Catholic Education Office that the plans to demolish St Joseph's church did not comply with local planning laws.
 
“Please note that this approval does not grant permission for the partial demolition of the fire damaged St Joseph’s church, which I consider to be outside of the discretion provided under clause 52.40 of the Yarra Planning Scheme,” the letter said.

The school has been given permission to replace the existing library to be funded under the Federal Government’s building education revolution, which has provided funds to schools across the country to update infrastructure.
 
The future of the church lies with Yarra City Council, according to the letter.
 
St Joseph’s church has also proposed their plans to redevelop the site and update the community hall and construct an 80-seat parish. These plans are on public display at the site as part of the council approval process.