July 2020 Update

The development has been very challenging, and a significant amount of work has been done in the past 18 months. MidCoast Council have issued construction consent for both stages. Application to MidCoast Council for issue of a Practical Completion Certificate has been submitted for stage 1, the carpark and associated infrastructure connecting to services. There have been some major delays onsite, with the NSW bushfire situation late in 2019 causing an immediate shutdown of work as there were no trades available. This was then followed by a series of rain and flood events and the Covid-19 pandemic causing significant disruption to the remaining planning and development. That being said, work has progressed, and attention is now moving to the actual Chapel building, stage 2, with engineering and the development of working drawings to commence soon. At this stage it is likely that building works will commence early 2021.

Tiona Chapel Fundraising

The fundraising effort was re-launched at National Gathering in August 2018, with a goal as a community to raise $700,000. To June 30, 2020, we have raised a total of approximately $338,000, which means we’re close to half-way of our goal! We still need to raise over $360,000 from the community to reach our goal, which is no small task! We need your help to continue to make our collective dream a reality.

Vision

The vision for the Tiona Chapel is coming to life. Details of what will happen there and who will do the tasks are still being formed, however, what we know is that its purpose will be to share our message that all things are sacred, all people are worthy, and that when lived out with love and joy, our lives form a tapestry of peace and hope for our communities. The Tiona Chapel will be a signal to the wider community that harmony begins with centering ourselves - with God, ourselves and each other.

Written by Ben Smith