A NEW Hindu temple bordering a massive new tourism development has been proposed for Glenview.
Religious group, BAPS (Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar-Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha), this week applied to the Sunshine Coast Council for a material change of use to a property at 2620 Steve Irwin Way.
The site borders a proposed Discovery Parks tourism development that includes more than 300 villas, BMX track and splash pool. The tourism development is currently open to public consultation.
BAPS is a Hindu denomination formed in 1905 and currently has about 3850 centres and 1200 temples worldwide.
A town planning report lodged with the council states the active congregation of the Sunshine Coast Hindu BAPS Shree Swaminarayan Sanstha community is small, consisting of only 60-70 members with that number not expected to exceed 70 even with the new temple. “This is because members regularly move for work and come to locations for a short period of time, prior to settling closer to major capital cities across Australia,” the planning report stated.
“Our clients have specifically chosen this site, as it will cater for it’s current and expected demand of their congregation into the future.”
The proposed temple is to be located in an existing structure at the rear of the site and extended by 72sqm.
“The proposed place of worship provides the local Sunshine Coast BAPS community with a permanent location to continue to foster their religious and social needs,” the application concluded.