Council Approves Plans For A New Sikh Temple In Melbourne’s West
- Staff Writer
- Nov 19
- 4 min read
Wyndham City Council’s Planning Committee has approved plans for a major Sikh temple and community centre at Hoppers Crossing in Melbourne’s West.
The proposal had received over 100 objections from local residents who had raised concerns about increased traffic, noise and safety.
Councillor Preet Singh, who backed the grant of approval along with eight other councillors, had said that the development had “significant cultural and community importance to both the Sikh and Hindu communities in Wyndham.”
“Sikhs have a proud history in Australia, fighting alongside our forces in both world wars,” Cr Singh said at the planning committee meeting on November 11, 2025.
“This Gurudwara honours this legacy, continuing with the tradition of seva, selfless service and solidarity. Wyndham is growing and its diverse and vibrant and full of promise. The Gurdwara will not only serve the Sikh community, but all residents, enriching our region socially, culturally and spiritually.”
New Plans For The Sikh Temple In Melbourne's West
The large new Gurudwara - a place of worship for the Sikh community - and community centre is coming up at 405 Sayers Road, Hoppers Crossing. The main building will rise to 18 metres and feature a distinctive five-metre high dome symbolising the community’s Punjab Sikh heritage.
The two flanking buildings, slightly lower in height, will house cultural, educational, and community support services. Materials such as metal roofing, stone walls, and substantial glass will reflect a modern architectural style influenced by traditional Sikh motifs and colours.
Landscaping is planned to soften the development, though several mature canopy trees have to be removed for construction.
“This proposed place of worship is more than a spiritual centre, it represents a vital hub for social connection, education, and charitable outreach,” Councillor Singh said in a social media post, Councillor Singh that he had called in for the application before the planning committee in the interests of “full transparency.”
Transport For Victoria Had Riased Concerns About Temple Plans
The proposal, led by an established non-profit Sikh community organisation that has operated on the site since 2008, involves demolishing three existing residential buildings on a consolidated 1.2-hectare site created from three original allotments.
In their place will rise three two-storey buildings designed to serve diverse community needs. This includes a large prayer hall, multicultural spaces, educational and counselling facilities, a library, health and recreational spaces, and conference and meeting rooms.
The centre will operate seven days a week from 8am to 10pm, with special events such as weddings and religious celebrations occasionally reaching a maximum of 600 attendees.
To facilitate the new use, the council approved the removal of two restrictive covenants that previously controlled building materials and minimum dwelling sizes on the land.
The site’s road access will also be altered, including a new consolidated left-in, left-out entry point on the busy Sayers Road, with supporting infrastructure upgrades such as a deceleration lane and repositioned footpaths, all overseen by Transport for Victoria (TFV). TFV initially objected but later gave conditional consent after technical revisions ensured that traffic flow and safety would not be compromised.
Local Residents Opposed Temple Plans
Public opposition to the plans for a new Sikh temple focused on concerns over increased traffic congestion, noise pollution, parking adequacy, and the compatibility of a large assembly centre in a low-density residential zone.
The application attracted 108 formal objections and a petition with seven signatories. A peer review by independent acoustic consultants found the initial noise assessment incomplete, lacking benchmarks against similar existing facilities and EPA regulations.
To address this, council conditions include submission of an amended noise report, noise-limiting measures, and bans on external amplification. Other conditions restrict operating hours, patron numbers, waste management, and landscaping responsibilities to protect nearby residents’ amenity.
Some of the objections cited “bursting of fireworks” and “music in cars”, which Cr Singh said “lacked substance” and did “not reflect the reality of this temple's operations”.
The councillor also said asking the Gurudwara to relocate was not feasible. “This Gurudwara has been a part of the community for over 17 years. It's a place where elderly residents, families walk to worship, learn and connect. Asking them to relocate is not just impractical, it's unjust,” Singh said at the planning committee meeting.
The councillor pointed out that the Gurudwara is located next to a medical centre and the surrounding area includes commercial and educational facilities,. The temple complements this landscape beautifully. It enhances our city's cultural and visual identity,” added Singh.
Council Grants Planning Permit For Sikh Temple In Hoppers Crossing
The council report emphasised that the development complies with the Wyndham Planning Scheme’s Municipal Planning Strategy, Planning Policy Framework, and zoning controls.
It also notes recent changes in the Sayers Road precinct, which has seen a shift towards mixed-use development, with commercial and community services coexisting alongside traditional residential properties, supported by nearby educational institutions and a major shopping centre.
The council resolved to issue a Notice of Decision to Grant a Planning Permit, formalising stringent conditions drafted to manage ongoing site operation and minimise adverse impacts.
This includes controlling patron numbers to 600, limiting noise and hours of operation, and requiring compliance with traffic and environmental management plans. The developer will bear all costs for infrastructure upgrades and ongoing compliance monitoring will be conducted by council’s Planning Enforcement team to ensure adherence and swiftly address complaints.
Local residents dissatisfied with the decision have the option to seek review through the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
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