ALBURY councillors have approved a health centre at the top of Young Street, but rejected a church proposed for Thurgoona.
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They voted 6-2 on Monday night for the clinic, despite objections from neighbours, and were unanimous in opposing a new place of worship for the Brethren community on the corner of Kerr Road and Shepherd Court.
Both decisions followed recommendations from staff.
Icaria Health, a business now in Kiewa Street, plans to move to 714 Young Street to provide physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology and other services.
Deputy mayor Amanda Cohn noted there was "angst" and "frustration" from neighbours but said it was an apt business for the commercial fringe of the city.
"It's not a pub, it's not a 24-hour facility, it's a medical centre," Cr Cohn said.
"It's proposed to be relatively quiet with appropriate hours for a business located in a residential area."
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To address concern with increased traffic, Cr Cohn added a rider that the council consider timed parking in Young Street between Guinea and North streets.
Former mayor Henk van de Ven unsuccessfully argued against the point on the basis it was unnecessary because existing businesses did not have issues.
Councillor David Thurley said if timed parking was introduced there should be special permits for local residents.
The past deputy mayor moved the motion to reject the church plan which was subject to a council community forum in May as well as petition in opposition.
Cr Thurley said it was the second or third time the church project had been considered and he believed despite changes it failed to address concerns about fencing and noise.
Plans for a 6am service, based on the timing of when Mary and others went to the tomb of Jesus Christ, had been dropped in favour of 8am.
However, Cr Thurley said that would still be too disruptive.
"8.15 on a winter's morning is not an appropriate time to be roused from your sleep and your bed by car doors slamming, people talking and car alarms going off," Cr Thurley said.
"I don't think that they've addressed the significant issues.
"I just don't believe it can fit into a quiet suburban cul-de-sac in a sort of a semi-rural setting."
Cr Thurley was the only councillor to speak on the issue with all eight in attendance then rejecting the plan.
Former mayor Alice Glachan was an apology for last night's meeting.
The Brethren has three churches in Albury and all are located in residential areas.
The place of worship proposed for Thurgoona would not have hosted funerals, weddings or baptisms.
It was proposed four services per week, supporting 50 believers, would be held at church.
Meanwhile, Cr Glachan and Cr van de Ven were nominated as two additional voting delegates for this year's Local Government NSW annual conference next month.
They will join Cr Cohn and mayor Kevin Mack in attending the online event.
