In a note included in the meeting’s business paper shire general manager Max Kershaw said he was sure that all “councillors would be well aware of the considerable community angst regarding this matter.

“There have been several email advices from the Galong Progress Association to this council, as well as all councillors, articulating the broader concerns relative to this proposal.”

He said that he was aware that the proponent, a Dr Tim O’Neill of Canberra, did make a presentation to a recent meeting of the progress association, but it was obvious that there were still many more questions being raised about Dr O’Neill’s project which still remain unanswered. 

“I have personally endeavoured to contact Dr O’Neill on several occasions but there has been no response from him to date. I am aware that he has visited the Council Chambers on at least two occasions and spoken in person to Council’s planner and building officer, he said.

“On both occasions he was advised that he needed to lodge a formal development application for Council’s assessment and determination.”

He has yet to lodge that application.

Mr Kershaw said that the specific nature of what Dr O’Neill was proposing still remained unclear.

“The advice to council via the GPA is that he wishes to convert the St. Lawrence building to ‘establish a spiritual retreat for broken men’. Further, the GPA has also advised that it is their understanding that the Archdioceses of Canberra has given approval to Dr O’Neill to use this facility for that purpose,” he said.

The council was still awaiting the lodgement of a development application.

The Harden Express has tried to contact Dr O’Neill several times but phone calls have not been returned.