News - Community & business

The Land Development Agency (LDA) received an application from Hu Guo Bao En Temple of Australia Inc for the direct sale of Block 19 Section 73 (formerly Block 11 Section 73) Nicholls.

Hu Guo Bao is a Buddhist organisation, which proposes to construct a temple development that will include a temple, landscaped gardens and ancillary residential quarters for the monks who will stay on site.

As it is now ACT Government policy to consult the community on all direct land sales, a community information session will be held for the residents of Nicholls and surrounding area to inform them about the proposal as well as the practices of the Buddhist faith.

The drop-in information session will be held at the Gold Creek School, Kelleway Street, Nicholls, on Wednesday 10 March 2010, between 4.30pm - 7.00pm.

Hu Guo Bao has said they will make the temple and gardens open to community members and neighbouring residents to enjoy.

The land is located next to the Holy Spirit Primary School (see map), and is zoned for ‘Community Use' purposes so the proposed use is consistent with this zone.

GCC has met with the LDA about this proposal, and received assurances that issues that raised concerns for residents about the mosque proposal for a nearby site will be addressed this time. All residents have been letterboxed well in advance of the drop-in session. The neighbouring schools are all being consulted. A traffic study is being done up front.

There are a number of aspects of this proposal that should make it less concerning to Nicholls residents. The main point is that the Buddist faith only has a couple of key events annually, operates more on a 'drop-in' basis and therefore does not have any weekly peaks like Muslim or Christian churches. Therefore there would be much less likelihood of traffic impacts. The site is north of all the schools - well away from the parking problems around the schools and shops. Access to the site would be via the existing roundabout, with no new access points constructed on Kellaway Avenue.

Interestingly, the plans provide for up to four monks to live on site. This is similar to a Christian church having a co-located manse, and would have some security advantages for both the temple and the school next door.