Gagebrook Uniting Church

Report from the Mercury newspaper, 05 Oct 2017 by Patrick Billings

A BELEAGUERED northern suburbs church hit by a second arson in six months has vowed to rebuild.

“We will be back,” a tired but determined Reverend David Parker, chairman of UnitingCare Tasmania, said yesterday.

The Uniting Church Community Centre in Tottenham Rd, Gagebrook, was deliberately torched just after midnight yesterday.

The inferno, ignited with mattresses left next to the building before climbing into the roof space, devoured the large building.

Damage estimates top $500,000 and it could be up to six months before the centre is rebuilt.

But Rev Parker said there would be no stopping the church and the critical services it provided to the community.

“Shocked and distressed“ residents streamed in yesterday to express disbelief at the destruction, which comes after an arson in April that took the church three months to rebuild.

Yesterday’s attack also follows a one-in-50-year flood in August last year that took the centre out of action for three months.

“It’s quite clear from communications with members of the community today that they see the centre as theirs and are quite affronted by the actions,” Rev Parker said.“

Some were in tears. They said how shocked they are that somebody who provides assistance to the community will no longer be able to do so in the short term.

“It’s hugely disappointing but it’s the reality of some of the issues that are faced in this community.”

He said it “reinforces our desire as a church to be sure that we should be where people are hurting”.

“We believe it’s a really important place for the church to be and we will be rebuilding and we will be back,” he said.

“This is a community which needs assistance, and the services that are provided through the Uniting Church are greatly appreciated.”

The centre, which includes an op shop, gives emergency relief to local residents by way of food and rental and electricity cost support, as well as offering a place for worship.

Just hours after the fire, the church was organising to put together a temporary office in the carpark so services would continue.

“Within a week, we’ll be back servicing the community,” Rev Parker said.

Police are yet to work out who started the blaze and wouldn’t say if the two arsons are connected. CCTV footage is being reviewed by detectives.