The Shri Shiva Mandir, a Hindu temple used for public worship, is located on 201 Eagle View Road and is clearly visible to anyone driving along Ben Lomond Road.
The temple sits at the top of a steep rise that starts at a vacant lot of land between it and Ben Lomond Road.
What very few people realise is that right next to Shri Shiva Mandir, on 203 Eagleview Road, is another Indian cultural and religious hub, which Campbelltown Council heard last night has nothing to do with the place of worship on 201 Eagleview Road.
Council was considering an application from the owner of 203 Eagleview Road to amend the Campbelltown Local Environmental Plan 2015 to include “place of public worship’’ as an additional permitted use on his block of land.
One of the main concerns that arose was the potential traffic impact of both places of worship end up holding an event on the same day.
A report to council said this challenge could be dealt with at the development application stage.
The proponent’s own Traffic Impact Assessment identified that 203 Eagleview Road had a maximum on-site capacity of 178 people at any one time.
This would comprise up to 120 people for events, and approximately 58 people for weekly activities.
Events would be limited to one per day on weekdays, and up to 2 per day on weekends, with a minimum one-hour separation between events.
Up to three cultural festivals per year could be hosted, with timing dependent on the annual calendar.
Cr Masud Khalil, who supported the application, said people of Indian heritage came to the site for Hindu festivals from all over Sydney.
“I think it’s a wonderful idea,’’ he said.
The 203 Eagleview Road site, which is five acres in size, has a number of structures, including a partially underground building containing an item of religious significance to the Hindu community, described as the 13th Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva.
“The site therefore holds cultural and religious significance for the Hindu community,’’ said the report to council.
