Sydney rejects religious temples

[Tina Greco - Melbourne]

Sydney rejects religious temples
Article from: The Daily Telegraph

By Justin Vallejo, Urban Affairs Reporter

February 01, 2008 12:00am

FIRST Camden didn't want an Islamic School, then Rosebery wouldn't stand for a Hillsong stadium and now a sleepy rural suburb north of Rouse Hill is campaigning against a Hindu temple.
All denominations have felt the wrath of local communities opposing religious development in Sydney, with the Hindu temple in Nelson the third pious building in as many months to be delayed on resident objections.

The temple's delay follows the latest incident of racist vandalism at Camden where the phrase "Aussie Pride 4 Life - Sand [censored]" was scrawled next to an Australian flag on the roof of a house on the planned Muslim school site.

Box Hill-Nelson Progress Association president John Higman said there was no place for the domed roof tops of the Hindu temple in a small, rural suburb that didn't even have town water, sewerage or roadside guttering.

"I don't have a problem with the Hindu people or their faith, there is definitely no racial problem out here," Mr Higman said yesterday.

"The building appears to be about three storeys tall with domes and flag poles on top of that, so the actual height is amazing.

"And then there are all the things associated with that, such as up to 200 people but only 50 car parking spaces."

Objections to size, capacity, and car parking - not religion - are the same arguments used by the Rosebery Residents Action Group against Hillsong's proposal for a 2700-seat auditorium and seven-storey office tower at the former RTA headquarters on Rothschild Ave.

Camden locals were less subtle, with a crucifix quoting Bible scripture and pig heads draped in the Australian flag.

Camden Residents' Group president Emil Sremchevich said yesterday he was lobbying state and local governments to change the law to allow a public vote to decide a development.

"Our rights are being denied because we have to go through this process. If the issue for a local community is significant enough there should be a referendum held to determine what happens," Mr Sremchevich said.

All developments will be decided in the next few months.

The application by the Shree Swaminarayan Temple trust is to build the temple and car park on half a 2ha block it bought for $1 million.

Temple trustee Karsan Kerai said he didn't expect to take Baulkham Hills Shire Council to the Land & Environment Court over the issue, as happened with the Annangrove Muslim prayer hall just around the corner.

"I think the neighbours are very good but they don't have the actual picture of what's going to happen and are worried about what it's going to look like," Mr Kerai said.

"I'm happy to meet with residents and we can certainly work around their comments and suggestions."

[newman]

This is a good defense against the charge of prejudice against iSSlam alone.

[Ambiorix]

I do not agree.
Burning mosquitotents, killing all muslims, OK.

Burning non-nazi-islam Temples. Not OK.

What's next on their list?
 Synagogues?

[Tina Greco - Melbourne]

We are not a Indian country, Australia is a christain country, everything else can go.

Australia doesn't hate just one group blindly, Australia is protecting its culture, not the cultures of other countries.

[Ambiorix]

India is in war with Islam as well.

But you are right. i'd like to see an end to freedom of religion as well.

Only Judaism or Christianity would be legal if I had absolute governmental power.

There is no need to forbid Judaism anywhere in the Western World.

[Tina Greco - Melbourne]

India is in war with Islam as well.

But you are right. i'd like to see an end to freedom of religion as well.

Only Judaism or Christianity would be legal if I had absolute governmental power.

There is no need to forbid Judaism anywhere in the Western World.

Theres a lot of Indian Muslims, and alot of Indian Nazis.

[Ambiorix]

I hate to hear this.

These nazimuslims are really spreading everywhere.

[newman]

I have no objection to the practice of ANY religion that DOES NOT call for the forced conversion, enslavement or murder of other faiths. In other words all religions EXCEPT iSSlam in Australia are fine with me.

I also think their should be a size limit on all places of worship. Huge, towering places that cater to more than 300 or so should not be allowed outside the CBD. Even then there should be an upper limit.

[Tina Greco - Melbourne]

Yes Other religions need to be limited, Any religion that contants animal urine in its practices should be banned.

[Tina Greco - Melbourne]

Aren't all temples religious?

Nope not he people buy them and live in like houses.