Plans For A $4.5 Million Ayyappa Hindu Temple in Melbourne Rejected, Locals Celebrate
- Staff Writer
- Aug 11
- 3 min read
Plans to build a large Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, costing $4.5 million, near Melbourne have been scrapped following a three-year-long campaign by local residents over environmental concerns.
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) rejected the proposal from the Melbourne Ayappa Seva Sangam (MASS) to construct the temple within a green wedge zone in Pearcedale, about 49 kilometres southeast of Melbourne’s CBD.
The Peninsula Green Wedge Protection Group, a local residents’ group formed in 2022 to oppose the temple, along with the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, had both objected to the plans.
'Green Wedge Land Not Appropriate For Hindu Temple'
Craig Alan Gobbi, for the Peninsula Green Wedge Protection Group, hailed the VCAT decision as "great news" in a Facebook post.
“The process was long and involved, spanning months of preparation, 14 days at the Tribunal, and thousands of pages of documents. But we finally have the outcome we fought so hard for – this ecologically significant parcel of Green Wedge land is saved,” Gobbi wrote.
Gobbi thanked "our wonderful committee and community for all the hard work, support and donations over the past three and a half years. We couldn’t have done it without you." He also acknowledged the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council "for rejecting the application at the outset and for backing their decision throughout the lengthy VCAT process."
“While we understand the need for large-scale places of worship, both Council and VCAT have determined that Green Wedge land is not an appropriate location,” added Gobbi.
"Melbourne’s Green Wedges are amongst Victoria’s greatest assets and a key contributor to Melbourne’s status as one of the world’s most liveable cities.Providing crucial green breaks between the ever-intensifying urban development corridors, Green Wedges deliver essential environmental, cultural, health and economic benefits to Victorians and visitors alike." - Peninsula Green Wedge Protection Group
Melbourne Hindu Temple Plans Halted
MASS first submitted its proposal to build the temple at 1915 Dandenong-Hastings Road in 2021.
On its website, MASS states it conducts "monthly Lord Sree Ayyappa Swamy Poojas and yearly annual Mandala Poojas, Hindu New Year Poojas, along with Annadhanam in accordance with the Sabarimala Calendar".
“Our long-term vision is to build the Lord Sree Ayyappa Swamy Temple and Cultural Centre, which promotes Sanathan Dharma for future generations by offering classes in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Veda, Bhagavad Gita, yoga, languages, meditation, classical music, and traditional dances,” MASS said.
VCAT Sides With Residents
MASS purchased land in Pearcedale, Victoria, in April 2019 for the temple. Its application described a large temple complex including the temple building, prayer rooms, a two-storey eating hall, a bathing pond, 22 toilets, light and bell towers, and parking for over 60 cars.
MASS indicated the temple would operate between 7 am and 2 pm, then from 5 pm to 8 pm, seven days a week. It also proposed two 24-hour annual events and a daily patron limit of 150 devotees.
VCAT found that the temple construction plans would involve the loss of around 0.746 hectares of native vegetation. The tribunal said that it agreed with the council and the residents’ group that the temple would “appear incongruent within its rural context and not in keeping with the character of the green wedge.”
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