Geelong council Planning Committee approved planning permit for Lara Hindu temple, snubbing rejection recommendation

Geelong councillors have granted a planning permit for a Hindu Temple to be built in Lara, snubbing a push to reject the proposal following a single objection from the public.

Geelong councillors have granted a planning permit for a Hindu Temple to be built in Lara, snubbing a city recommendation to reject the proposal following a single objection from the public.

The City of Greater Geelong planning committee on Thursday unanimously voted in support of a permit to allow for the Research Rd land to be used as a place of worship.

The $450,000 proposal, revealed in October, requested permission to build an ornate single-storey temple on the large property, which would be used as a place of worship for people who practise BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, a branch of the Hindu faith.

Councillors approved the planning application after the matter was “called in” to the planning committee, resulting in a city report recommending the permit be rejected for being inconsistent with numerous policy directions and the primary purpose of the rural living zone.

A single objection lodged against the temple application cited concerns with proposed operating hours, number of patrons, building design, traffic impact, location and “potential for the site to cater for the growth of the cultural group”.

Planning Committee chair Cr Kylie Grzybek said it was appropriate that members of religious groups have opportunities for worship without negatively impacting on the character of the Rural Living Zone.

“We respect that concerns were raised by one nearby resident, but it’s important that we allow Places of Worship to be constructed in areas where we don’t believe the development will have a negative impact on neighbourhood character,” Cr Grzybek said.

Windermere Ward councillor Anthony Aitken pointed out there was already a Thai temple just 400m from the proposed Hindu temple site which was “living in harmony” with the community

“This decision enhances the rich diversity of community that has always lived in our northern suburbs of Geelong, and we welcome the Indian Hindu community to the north,” Cr Aitken said.

Planning documents submitted last year included ¬proposed operating hours of 5pm-8pm daily, and from 8am-11am on Sundays – with a maximum of 60 people on site.

“The growing number of Hindu faith and Indian background families in and around the Greater Geelong area have presented a unique opportunity to build a new temple so the patrons from Geelong and surrounds can more easily attend congregations and events,” the documents noted.

“The proposal’s architecture is designed to induce certain behaviours and emotions that engender an attitude of contemplation within the worshipper. This is important to the Hindu community who desires a place of worship within the Lara area.

“The building would host a variety of weekly activities: members of the community who would attend weekly assemblies on the weekend and attend for quiet prayer through the week after work.

No external speakers, weddings or funerals are proposed for the site.

Originally published as Geelong council Planning Committee approved planning permit for Lara Hindu temple, snubbing rejection recommendation