Plan for $41m Kemps Creek Hindu Temple decided
The multimillion-dollar plan to build a Hindu temple in Sydney’s west has been decided on by a NSW Planning Panel.
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Groundbreaking plans for a $41 million grand Hindu Temple near the Western Sydney Aerotropolis have been approved by a NSW Planning Panel.
The multimillion-dollar development, which went before the Sydney Western City Planning Panel on September 16, includes the construction of the place of worship, assembly and dining halls at 230-242 Aldington Rd, Kemps Creek.
The applicant, BAPS Swaminarayan Santha, is a Hindu religious and social organisation with several temples across the globe — proposing its first for western Sydney.
Planning documents for the development revealed Hinduism is the fastest growing religion in greater Sydney, with the Penrith local government area experiencing the second fastest level of Hindu population growth.
“At 3.5 per cent of the population, Hinduism is the 5th most common religion in greater
Sydney, after Catholicism, Anglican, Islam and Buddhism,” the proposal said.
“Hinduism grew by 56,827 people from the 2011 census, or a 50 per cent increase, making it
the fastest growing religion in Greater Sydney by number of followers.”
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The site is more than 100,000sq m and will house the temple, assembly and dining halls, souvenir Shop and cafe.
The temple is expected to be used for meditation and prayer between 7am and 11.30am each morning, as well as 4pm to 7pm on weekdays.
Congregations will also attend the assembly hall on Sunday afternoon between 4.30pm and 6.30pm.
“The community kitchen and dining hall is anticipated to be used for gatherings in conjunction with congregations in the assembly hall,” the report revealed,” the proposal said.
“The hall will also be used for … recreation programs for young people, yoga, children’s programs.
“The landscaping area includes play spaces, a large grassed area, seating and planting.”
A Penrith Council planning manager said the proposal “satisfies the aims, objectives and provisions” of local planning and development policies and called for the development to be approved.
Community consultation raised concerns around “inconsistencies with zoning” and the development’s intensity being “inappropriate for the rural character”.
However, the council representative said the proposal’s floor space and heights were reduced.
The proposal was passed unanimously by panel members on the grounds “that the development will provide a place of public worship and meets all standards and legislation”.
Chair Justin Doyle said during his address that the main concern of the panel during its assessment was the impact on the character of surrounding areas.
There were no objections to the proposal and no members of the public addressed the panel.