Vietnamese Buddhist Society puts in proposal for new place of public worship at Wallacia

A PROPOSAL on behalf of the Vietnamese Buddhist Society of NSW will see a 10m-high Buddha statue being built in Wallacia.

Rev. Giac Anh, Tam Hue, Rev. Giac Niem, Thanh Chan, Chuc Quyen, Rev. Giac Tri and Venerable Pho Huan . Picture: Craig Wilson

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A PROPOSAL on behalf of the Vietnamese Buddhist Society of NSW will see a 10m-high Buddha statue being built in Wallacia.

Although Buddhism is not the main religion in Penrith, coming in at 10th behind Roman Catholic, Islam and Hinduism, it has risen by more than 25 per cent in the past five years, according to the latest census data.

Venerable Pho Huan at Phap Bao Temple, St Johns Park. Picture: Craig Wilson

The proposed development for 590 Bents Basin Rd, also includes a place of public worship and an accommodation block alongside the statue.

The development is expected to accommodate four religious events per year over weekends for a maximum of three days each and will be attended by 250 to 300 people.

A nun from the Vietnamese Buddhist Society of NSW, Giac Anh, said the Buddha statue would be a strong visual reminder for the community about compassion and happiness.

“Because this statue of the Buddha is about the compassion and the happiness, whenever we have the chance to look at the Buddha statue we can see the compassion and happiness and can bring it out,” nun Anh said.

The site will also be transformed to allow those who wish to attend a retreat to be away from the bustle of city life.

“A meditation retreat is very important to be able to let go and relax, our lives and our body sometimes need to recharge,” she said.

The Vietnamese Buddhist Society of NSW have put forward a request to build a place of public worship and an accommodation block at Wallacia. Picture: Craig Wilson

The development is proposed to be built in three stages, starting with the worship hall, an accommodation block, garden and statue, which will involve the conversion of an existing dwelling on site.

The second stage involves accommodation and a dining hall followed by the final stage of additional accommodation and a carpark.

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Approval will also be ­required from the NSW Rural Fire Service given the site chosen is on rural property.

Councillor Matt Gould, from Wollondilly Shire Council, said concerns had been raised by the community about infrastructure, access on the roads and flood issues.

“If there are no issues and the issues of the community are adequately addressed, it will be a good addition to our community,” he said.

Submissions in relation to the proposal will be accepted until 4pm, September 25.