Applicants behind a proposed Hindu temple in Cranbourne South have questioned the state tribunal for rejecting the permit.
Last week, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) overturned Casey Council’s decision to grant a permit to a Hindu temple at 104 Browns Road in Cranbourne South’s green wedge zone. Tribunal member Cassandra Rea believed it was not the right location for a temple.
Sandeep Gupta, a volunteer with the temple applicant Shri Ram Janaki Charitable Trust Melbourne, stated that he was not comfortable with the judgment on a point-by-point basis, especially with the findings on the traffic management plan.
The access point for cars changed several times during the hearing.
Initially, the applicant proposed an access from Kelly Road for its 17 parking spaces. Casey Council then approved the permit with the site’s existing Browns Road access.
However, towards the end of the hearing, the council changed its position, supporting a new crossover back to Kelly Road.
Member Rea rejected both options.
Member Rea reasoned that during her site inspection, she observed “vehicle movement along Browns Road moving very swiftly and efficiently at speed”, convinced the access would not be safe.
Member Rea noted that the road was earmarked to become a four-lane arterial under the Botanic Ridge Precinct Structure Plan.
She further found that using the existing farm gate on Browns Road without a properly formed crossover was inappropriate for the expected traffic level, coupled with nearby residential growth, while the Kelly Road access could disturb the amenity of nearby semi-rural properties, especially during evening activities.
Member Rea also pointed out she “did not have the benefit of any traffic engineering evidence” as the traffic report that accompanied the hearing was based on access from Kelly Road, not Browns Road.
In response to Member Rea’s reasoning, Mr Gupta said: “If they think 17 cars are too much of a traffic to deal with on the Browns Road, God bless them.”
Mr Gupta claimed that, given there are so many developments happening on Browns Road, including a future housing estate right opposite their site, the current speed limit of 80km/h will likely be reduced in the future.
He said the logic Member Rea applied in the ruling gave them the impression that she would not allow any development piece in that entire area.
“If the traffic is beyond these many cars, probably we need to have a reduced speed limit. Instead of 80km/h, it becomes 70km/h just to make it much safer,” he said.
“There are ways to deal with it, rather than outright rejecting the entire application.”
Mr Gupta was also disappointed at the VCAT’s ruling that the proposed temple would not be of “net community benefit” due to the “poor locational attributes, traffic issues, and the visual impact of the car park”.
He said the temple would be a community service that helps people with their mental issues.
Rajesh Tiwari, president of Shri Ram Janaki Charitable Trust Melbourne, said they had spent more than $100,000 plus efforts on this temple application.
They purchased the five-acre land in 2023 and proposed converting a shed, hidden behind a multi-storey house, into a temple.
Casey Council initially approved the permit in September 2024, but neighbouring residents challenged the decision at VCAT.
The green wedge in Casey South, also known as Western Port Green Wedge, has seen several temple applications in recent years, prompting local community opposition.
Mr Gupta said temple applications vary on an individual basis.
He noted that Mornington Peninsula Council rejected the $4.5 million Pearcedale temple after they did their due diligence and figured out that it was not the right place, while they secured the Casey Council’s approval in the first place.
“When this land was bought, we learned that it was not forbidden for the temple. It says the temple can be constructed,” Mr Gupta said.
The Trust now plans to consult town planners and lawyers to determine the next steps following the VCAT rejection.
VCAT was contacted for comment, but it is not standard practice for VCAT Members to provide additional comments in respect of a matter outside of their rulings.
To read the previous story on the proposed Cranbourne South temple, visit cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au/news/2025-10-01/second-temple-rejection-in-two-months/
