Community & Business
16 October, 2025
Development application lodged for St Ambrose restoration
Truss restoration is now a top priority at St Ambrose Church, as development application lodged with council
A development application (DA) has been lodged with Gilgandra Shire Council to begin structural repairs at St Ambrose Memorial Church, marking the first significant step toward the heritage buildings’ restoration.
The proposal, DA2025/619, seeks approval for minor building alterations to repair and strengthen roof trusses within the nave at the state-listed church, at 58 Myrtle Street, Gilgandra. The development plans are on public exhibition until submissions close next week.
The church’s restoration committee confirmed that the truss issue has become the project’s immediate focus.
Work on other planned stages of restoration have been paused to direct attention and resources to the roof structure after engineers determined that failure was likely without urgent strengthening.
Committee chair Stuart Border said the approval to the development application would mark the point where construction can begin and a contractor selected through a formal tender process. After the submissions process finishes, Mr Border said he expects notification of approval/changes in early November, which if approved they would be looking to award the tender and have contractors on site as soon as possible.
The committee has used community-raised funds to meet preparatory and engineering costs ahead of the DA lodgement. Around $50,000 in donations from the St Ambrose fundraising account has already been committed, with additional support anticipated as the months proceed.
The church is listed on the NSW State Heritage Register as St Ambrose Memorial Church (SHR No. 01853). The Statement of Heritage Impact explains that both timber trusses spanning the nave have been assessed as overstressed and require strengthening, following discovery of a severely cracked southern truss and emerging splitting in the northern truss. Temporary propping has been installed and will remain until the works are complete to ensure safety. Engineering assessment found the truss heel capacity at around 30 kN compared with an estimated 50 kN load, confirming the need for urgent action.
The proposed solution is a removable steel exoskeleton frame installed to both sides of each nave truss. This bolt-on frame will take roof loads if further cracking or connection slippage occurs, while keeping the original timber visible. The approach is described as structurally efficient, reversible, and designed to minimise visual impact, with narrow steel plates painted to match the existing structure. Detailed drawings outline the strengthening layout, including bolted plate assemblies, fabrication notes and inspection requirements.
The heritage report confirms that no original truss elements will be removed and that the design aligns with conservation principles by retaining and protecting original fabric. Stabilisation of the wider building through soil-moisture control and foundation works is identified as a later stage once truss repairs are completed and the building made structurally secure.
Previous coverage in The Gilgandra Weekly has followed the church’s restoration journey since plans were first announced, noting that public donations are tax-deductible through the National Trust Appeal. Community support has included local concerts, art events, and appeals that have steadily built the restoration fund.
St Ambrose Church, designed in 1922 by ecclesiastical architect Louis R. Williams, is regarded as an important example of Inter-war Gothic architecture and a memorial to the district’s involvement in the 1915 Coo-ee March. The restoration committee and congregation have said that once the trusses are repaired, attention will turn to the remaining restoration elements that will allow the church to reopen for full use and worship.
Members of the public are invited to view the proposal and provide written feedback during the exhibition period, at https://www.gilgandra.nsw.gov.au/Stay-Connected/News/Public-Notices/Notice-of-Development-Proposal-DA2025619
