Key Takeaways
- A proposed Hindu temple in Cranbourne South, Melbourne, has sparked controversy among local residents and environmental groups
- The temple, which would be the largest in Australia, is expected to attract up to 10,500 visitors on peak days, raising concerns about traffic, noise, and environmental disturbance
- The project is still in the pre-application phase, with the BAPS community engaging in community consultation and awaiting a preliminary assessment from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
- The temple’s design and size may change, with the BAPS community committed to doing the right thing and not taking people for a ride
- The proposal has sparked debate about the balance between religious freedom and environmental protection, with some arguing that the temple should be built in a more urban area with better infrastructure
Introduction to the Controversy
The proposal for a large Hindu temple in Cranbourne South, Melbourne, has sparked controversy among local residents and environmental groups. The temple, which would be the largest in Australia, is expected to attract up to 10,500 visitors on peak days, raising concerns about traffic, noise, and environmental disturbance. Jenny Dalgleish, a member of the Western Port Green Wedge Protection Group, argues that large places of worship should be built in urban parts of Melbourne instead, such as better-serviced industrial precincts with sufficient space closer to where people live. "The infrastructure here just can’t support it," she said.
The BAPS Community’s Vision
The BAPS community, which is behind the proposal, has a different vision for the temple. Kalpesh Makwana, the volunteer project co-ordinator, said that the congregation is growing at a fast pace, and the community is looking for a purpose-built facility. "The congregation is growing at a fast pace, and the community is looking for a purpose-built facility," he said. "We are still in the pre-application phase. As part of this process, there will be a community consultation." The BAPS community has created a website to share information and allow locals to submit questions, and has confirmed that the temple precinct would be the Hindu sect’s biggest in Australia if realised.
Environmental Concerns
However, the proposal has sparked environmental concerns, with the Casey Residents and Ratepayers Association lodging a submission against the temple proposal to the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Association president Anthony Tassone said that he appreciated the value of religious institutions, but believed the BAPS proposal for Cranbourne South was too large, particularly with forecasts of up to 10,500 people on peak days. "Those visitation levels are comparable to a major metropolitan destination," Tassone said. "Local residents are understandably concerned about what that means for traffic, noise, lighting, environmental disturbance and the gradual urbanisation of land that is meant to remain non-urban."
The Need for Purpose-Built Facilities
The Hindu Council of Australia president, Sai Paravastu, argues that devotees across the country are looking for room to practise rituals in purpose-built facilities, such as Hindu crematoriums. "It’s so we can self-sustain and there’s no need for us to go overseas to do this," he said. The BAPS community has two other centres in Melbourne: a temple in Mill Park and a small converted house in Cranbourne South near their proposed development. However, the proposed temple in Cranbourne South would provide a much-needed purpose-built facility for the growing Hindu community in Melbourne.
The Planning Process
Before a planning application for the Cranbourne South temple can be submitted, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water must decide whether the proposal is likely to "significantly impact" a protected species. Public submissions on an initial referral closed on Friday, and the department will issue a preliminary assessment next year. If the temple proposal is approved, the next step may be a formal planning application to the state government, when further issues like sewerage and road safety would be assessed. "Any future proposal would be considered on its merits," they said. The BAPS community is committed to doing the right thing and not taking people for a ride, and is willing to work with the community and authorities to ensure that the temple is built in a responsible and sustainable way.
Conclusion
The proposed Hindu temple in Cranbourne South has sparked a debate about the balance between religious freedom and environmental protection. While the BAPS community argues that the temple is needed to provide a purpose-built facility for the growing Hindu community in Melbourne, local residents and environmental groups are concerned about the potential impact on traffic, noise, and the environment. The planning process will need to carefully consider these competing interests and ensure that the temple is built in a responsible and sustainable way. Ultimately, the decision will depend on a range of factors, including the potential impact on the environment, the needs of the local community, and the rights of the BAPS community to practise their religion.