Hallelujah - the Uniting Church Steeple is about to be fixed

It has been dragging on since late 2014, when a storm caused significant damage to it. 

The roof became unstable as a result and potentially too dangerous for parishioners to attend their beloved church.

The timber in the 1871 steeple was found to be in a very poor state and in need of replacement.

It was so bad that former tradesman and Reverend John Braakman reported at the time that he was fearful that in Goulburn’s high winds the steeple could simply be blown off. 

That’s where the problems started because the original plans for the steeple could not be located and, as such, the heritage architects had to start from scratch.

The costs for the repair were also then on concern, given the original spire would have to be removed and replaced with another that was built offsite.

It was estimated at one point as costing more than $1 million.

Thankfully, it has been reported previously that insurance is covering most of this cost. 

It is a blessing indeed, and it is also a testament to the faith of all concerned that the congregation has kept meeting elsewhere throughout this challenging time. 

So it is with some relief for parishioners and everyone in the city that work is finally now underway on replacing the damaged spire on the church.  

Hallelujah! Let’s hope the high winds remain at bay so the spire does not end up on Rocky Hill in the meantime.

Speaking of wind, it was amazing to see that the Jupiter Wind Farm seems to be finally blown away.

This project was on the nose with residents in the Tarago area from the start. 

It attracted 574 submissions in opposition when the plans were publicly exhibited.

The ‘final blow’ came for the doomed proposal when the Department of Planning and Environment rejected the proposal earlier this year. 

It was then over to the Independent Planning Commission to have the final say, but before they could do this – the proponent pulled the plans. 

We are sure there will be much rejoicing at the news in the affected areas around Tarago and Lower Boro.