A CONTENTIOUS council-backed bid to build a place of worship on green wedge land in Carrum Downs has been rejected on religious grounds by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal after an appeal by the Defenders of the South East Green Wedge group.
A VCAT panel found the Radha Soami Satsang Beas (RSSB) — a self-proclaimed “philosophical organisation based on the spiritual teachings of all religions and dedicated to a process of inner development under the guidance of a spiritual teacher” — is not a recognised religion despite being granted non-profit religious institution status by the Australian Taxation Office.
In the VCAT report outlining the decision made after hearings on 13-14 February, panel member Michael Deidun noted: “I was informed during the course of the hearing that members of RSSB Australia Pty Ltd maintain their existing religious beliefs, whether they be Christian, Jew, Muslim, Hindu or another religion.”
Mr Deidun said: “The activities being conducted on the land are not related to the practice or following of a religion.”
RSSB’s “spiritual leader” is Baba Gurinder Singh who lives in northern India.
Frankston Council officers and councillors – with the exception of then mayor James Dooley – supported the RSSB planning application in July last year to build a place of worship, guest dwelling and caretaker’s house on 26.3 hectares of green wedge land between EastLink and Frankston-Dandenong Rd and Boundary Rd near an existing Hindu temple (“Green wedge go ahead for ‘church’”, The Times 25/7/16).
Yarra Ranges Council in 2014 rejected a proposal by RSSB to build the place of worship at Chirnside Park.
Defenders spokesman Barry Ross said the group welcomed VCAT’s decision to overrule council’s approval of the “massive” planned “church”.
“The tribunal accepted our argument that the development does not qualify as a place of worship and was therefore prohibited,” Mr Ross said.
“Disappointingly, the tribunal did not agree with our arguments about the development not meeting the Planning Scheme Green Wedge protection measures. Nonetheless, a win is a win.”
RSSB Australia can appeal to the Supreme Court of Victoria against the VCAT ruling.
Chairman Michael Cooke did not return calls from The Times.
