Residents expressed concern that the application was lodged on December 22 giving a deadline of January 19 for submissions while many were on holiday. Heathcote resident Robyn Stringfellow was overseas when the application was lodged and was not able to see all the details until she returned on January 13, less a week before the deadline.

The 645-square-metre hall will be set back from Forum Drive and cater for between 35 and 400 people in a given month, with on-site parking for 129 cars.

Vehicular access to the hall will be via either Forum Drive north or south. It will be able to care for up to 900 worshippers on rare occasions.

Heathcote residents have formed the Committee Against Inappropriate Development in their Community to oppose the development.

Warren Lane said the main concerns were the bush fire risk and people's safety in an evacuation.

"Traffic will be increased within the Forum Drive area, and egress onto Heathcote Road is a major concern," Mr Lang said. "We cannot understand why a development is required for a 900-person facility which may occur "on rare occasions".

He urged residents to make submissions by January 31.

An Exclusive Brethren statement said the church planned to build a private road through the site which it believed would significantly improve bushfire safety in the area.

The road, providing access to the meeting hall, could be used by emergency vehicles and residents in the event of a bushfire.

Sutherland Shire Council plans to hold an information day on the proposal at a date to be set.

The proposal has generated a lot of comment on the Leader website, much of it citing residents' traffic concerns over the proposal, and little to do with religious considerations (see linked story).

Kevin R Jacobson posted: "This has nothing to do with religion or a church group wanting a place to gather. It's a free country. The problem is the 900-seat venue and the impact on fire evacuation; traffic flow; impact on quiet neighbours and streets and impact on bushland."