SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, February 2, 2008: First Sydney communities opposed an Islamic School, then people wouldn’t stand for a Hillsong stadium and now a sleepy rural suburb is campaigning against a Hindu temple. All denominations have felt the wrath of local groups opposing religious development in Sydney, with the Hindu temple being the third pious building delayed on resident objections.
The temple’s delay follows the latest incident of racist vandalism, with hate words written next to an Australian flag on the roof of the planned Muslim school site.
The Hindu temple faces a more polite but equally strong opposition. Local resident’s association president John Higman said there was no place for the domed roof tops of the Hindu temple in a small, rural suburb that does not even have town water, sewerage or roadside guttering. “I don’t have a problem with the Hindu people or their faith.” Mr Higman said yesterday. “The building appears to be about three stories tall with domes and flag poles on top of that, so the actual height is a problem. And then there are parking spaces.” Objections to size, capacity, and car parking — not religion — are the same arguments used against the other opposed religious buildings. Some protesters were less subtle, holding a crucifix and quoting Bible scripture.
The application by the Shree Swaminarayan Temple trust is to build both the temple and a car parking lot. Temple trustee Karsan Kerai said, “I think the neighbors are very good but they don’t have the actual picture of what’s going to happen and are worried about it. I’m happy to meet with residents and we can certainly work around their comments and suggestions.”