Some of their associated entities, like the Rapid Relief Team, are charities that engage with the broader public. Others, like TyreMax and firms that won lucrative government contracts during the COVID-19 pandemic, are commercial ventures, approved under another church doctrine to “spoil the Egyptians” and “charge the highest price to the worldly people”.
A few firms, such as Campus&Co, are designed for Brethren members specifically.
This masthead has previously reported that many Campus&Co shops are based on OneSchool Global grounds, staffed by unpaid Brethren women, and charge a premium to the flock for their groceries.
The new Campus&Co shop in Briar Hill will be restricted to the PBCC-linked Yarrambat school community via an electronic keypad and unique codes, a town planning report to Banyule Council said.
“The supermarket is operated as a fund-raising entity affiliated with and benefiting the OneSchool Global private education centres,” the report said.
Another letter to the council in late February said Campus&Co had supermarkets in Melton, Geelong and Ballarat to service OneSchool Global campuses. It said the proposed Sherbourne Road shop targeted about 180 households from the Yarrambat campus living in the Whittlesea, Nillumbik and Banyule municipalities.
“Members of the general public cannot become members of the supermarket and are not invited to do so,” it said.
Up to three volunteers from the school community will staff the shop at any one time, generally from 9am to 12.30pm on weekdays. However, shopping is generally self-service.
Designs for the shop include a deli with cheese and eggs. A fruit and vegetable section is also marked on the floor plans.
A spokesman for Campus&Co said some supermarket profits were invested into “charitable endeavours associated with the church” but stressed they were distinct.
“Campus&Co is a separate entity to the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, but it is a place where people from the church can gather, socialise and purchase goods,” the spokesman said.
“Campus&Co also supports dozens of local businesses by sourcing products from a range of different suppliers and producers.”
A spokesman for the PBCC – who also spoke for Campus&Co and OneSchool Global – said church members had lived in Melbourne’s north-east for more than 20 years and had a main hall in Diamond Creek.
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The associated OneSchool Global campus in Yarrambat is currently not operating, the spokesman said.
“In 2019 the students were relocated to another campus as the facility requires upgrading and various options are currently being considered,” he said.
A spokesperson for Banyule City Council said an officer would have the final say on the Campus&Co planning application in Briar Hill.
The application also seeks permission to erect a fence, carry out landscaping and reduce the quiet supermarket’s car parking requirements. The building works are estimated to cost $90,000.
The application is not expected to be voted on by elected councillors at a meeting, but instead by a council officer.
“The site is already zoned for commercial use – a permit is not required for the supermarket use itself,” a council spokesperson said.
“The specific company or business submitting an application is not considered by council, as it’s not a relevant consideration under the planning scheme.”
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