A war of words has broken out between Brisbane city councillors over an historic church at Wynnum slated for demolition to make way for a six-storey office block.

At this week’s council meeting Cr Amanda Cooper blamed Cr Peter Cumming for supporting demolition instead of removal of the former Baptist church.

Ms Cooper, who chairs the Neighbourhood Planning and Development Assessment Committee, accused Cr Cumming of failing to protect Brisbane’s heritage.

She was “disturbed recently to get some feedback that there is a councillor who really doesn’t seem to have that same attitude towards historic places in our city”.

She quoted from a statement by Cr Cumming that “in all the circumstances I am happy to see the church demolished”.

Cr Cooper said the church, built in 1912, was listed in Council’s heritage register.

“This council is very strong in protecting our identity in a variety of ways,” Cr Cooper said.

She listed several instances of protection, including pre-1900 houses “which had no forms of protection on them at all” until it was actioned by the neighbourhood planning committee.

Cr Cooper accused councillors from “the other side of the chamber” of being “missing in action” when it came to making decisions or recommendations.

But Cr Cumming said he had suggested various alternative local sites for re-location of the old Baptist church. He said council staff had “ruled them out”, requesting the developer re-locate the church outside the area, to Mt Gravatt showgrounds.

“It’s not a demolition issue,” Cr Cumming said. “It’s an issue of where the Baptist church hall can be moved to.”

“The council planning appeals section and Cr Cooper are sticking by their requirement to move the hall to Mt Gravatt,” he said.

“I see no value for Wynnum Manly ward in having an old church hall relocated to the Mt Gravatt Showgrounds. If that is the best council can come up with then I have no objection to demolition.”

Developer BMD Group bought the Baptist Church property which, includes the hall, about five years ago.

“They have approval to build a six-storey office block and some three-storey units on the site on the corner of Bay Terrace, Clara Street and Akonna Streets Wynnum,” Cr Cumming said.

“BMD are appealing the condition and the matter will be decided by the Planning and Environment Court.”

The Baptist church was originally constructed on two allotments in Edith street.

The church was extended as the congregation grew then it was moved to a larger site, on the corner of Bay Terrace and Clara street, in 1930.