Explanatory Statement

Introduction

1. Due to the outworking of regionalism HMS wishes to withdraw from the assisted provisional parish structure. The Archbishop and Regional Bishops have agreed to this restructuring on the basis that all APP's are amalgamated with other parochial units or become provisional parishes on or before 1 January 1998.

2. This withdrawal has several consequences: dismantling the APP structure, meeting debts and varying the trusts of properties. This bill deals with the dismantling of the APP structure but the report has information on the other matters.

Present APP's

3. The present APP's are -

4. Oakhurst has applied for provisional parish status at this Synod session.

Debts

5. The Standing Committee has expressed its concern to the Archbishop and his senior staff members that adequate arrangements be made for the acceptance of the obligation to repay loans made by the Finance and Loans Board or Vision for Growth to the New Areas Committee and taken over by HMS, to HMS or guaranteed by HMS for APP's. As at 8 August 1997 the balances of the loans in question were -

6. For 1997, these loans are being serviced by the parochial units or by tied grants of $81,000 to HMS through Regional Councils. There are no tied grants for 1998, nor is the Standing Committee aware of any arrangement having been made for Regional Councils to fund the repayment of any of these loans in 1998. (And our printing deadlines do not afford time to enquire of Regional Councils.)

7. The responsibility for some of these loans may have been taken over by parochial units. But the repayment of other loans has still to be worked out.

Varying Trusts of Properties

8. There are a number of properties believed to be held on trust for HMS to be applied "in providing a pastoral ministry in areas which by reason of rapid increase in population are or were unable in their early development to support a ministry". The property at Eagle Vale was purchased by HMS. The following is a list of all the properties which are probably involved.

Lot 489 in Deposited Plan 242536 being the property known as No. 8 Devaney Street, Mount Druitt.

Lot 30 of Section 14 in Deposited Plan 1391 being the property situated near the corner of Second Avenue and Edgar Street, Macquarie Fields.

Lot 46 of Section 14 in Deposited Plan 1993 being the land situated at the corner of Second Avenue and Edgar Street, Macquarie Fields.

The land described in Deed of Conveyance Book 1425 No. 130 being the property situated in Canterbury Road, Glenfields.

Lots 123 and 124 in Deposited Plan 238568 being the property known as No. 105 Ellsworth Drive, Tregear.

Lot 9 of section A in Deposited Plan 13341 being the land known as No. 6 Blanche Street, Minto.

Lot 694 in Deposited Plan 223956 being the property known as 3 Tunbridge Street, Busby.

Lot 298 in Deposited Plan 8982 being the property known as 7 King Street, Tahmoor.

Lot 4180 in Deposited Plan 261630 being the property known as 28 Serpentine Place, Eagle Vale.

9. We could vary these trusts to put Regional Councils, or the local parish authorities or another body in the place of HMS. This matter is to be further investigated.

Purpose of this Bill

10. This bill is to eliminate APP's from our ordinances by 1 January 1998 and to make any remaining APP's provisional parishes from that date. The passing of the bill will mean that our parish rules will be less confusing and cumbersome when the 8th Handbook is published next year.

For and on behalf of the Standing Committee

WARREN GOTLEY
Diocesan Secretary

20 August 1997