A satellite image of the proposed Shri Venkateshwara Temple site at 378 Ararimu Rd in Ramarama, Auckland. Photo: Google Maps
Auckland Council has granted resource consent for a proposed Hindu temple in South Auckland amid local opposition.
An application for the construction of Shri Venkateshwara Temple on a 4.5-hectare site at 378 Ararimu Rd in Ramarama was lodged in October last year, with a public hearing held in the first week of June.
A total of 203 submissions on the temple were received, with 155 supporting its construction, 47 against and one neutral.
Indra Sirigiri, chairperson of the Sirigiri Trust that applied for resource consent, welcomed the decision, arguing that "every concern raised by council officials and local residents was met with diligence and humility".
"The trust remains fully committed to complying with all conditions laid out in the consent and aims to ensure that the development complements the existing character of Ramarama and its natural environment," Sirigiri said.
Opposition to the proposed temple centred around perceived problems with traffic management, the dangerous nature of access roads, the unsuitability of a Hindu temple in a rural environment, adverse impacts on the aesthetic value of the area, the deterioration of rural ambience and fears of stormwater flooding.
The council included opposing submissions from Michael Marren and Sam Todd in its decision, both of whom live within one kilometre of the proposed temple site.
"[Marren's] evidence covered a range of concerns, including noise, land stability, rural character, potential risk of overflows of sewage, traffic, construction noise and dust affecting local community," the council said.
"[Todd's] concerns were not related to the temple per se but rather generated adverse effects, including noise, hours of operation, car parking, traffic congestion and rural character."
Those in favour of the temple focussed on local economic growth, increased community resources and support networks, enhanced area safety and improvement in local infrastructure in addition to providing devotees a spiritual and religious sanctuary.
After more than a month of deliberation since the June hearing, Auckland Council granted the temple resource consent on 21 July, noting it "will enable the Hindu community to provide for its social and cultural well-being".
Explaining its reasons for the decision, Auckland Council said the proposed development would appropriately avoid, remedy or mitigate adverse traffic, lighting and noise effects.
"Following construction, adverse visual amenity effects will progressively reduce from 'moderate' to 'low' as mitigation matures," the council said. "The conditions will require landscape mitigation to be established as early as is practicable to minimise adverse effects during construction."
The council said the proposal would maintain the rural character and amenity values of the surrounding area, as well as result in a net gain in biodiversity and ecological values.
"Encroachment into a riparian margin established as a result of a stream location will be minor with any adverse effects able to be mitigated through design and appropriate management and co-ordination of construction and new planting," the council said.
Sirigiri said he had visited more than 100 locations in the North Island over the the past three years before settling on the site in Ramarama.
"The topography of the land is strikingly similar to that of Tirumala," he said, referring to a renowned hill temple in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.
"Our temple will be nestled in the valley, mirroring the natural slope of Tirumala from northeast to southwest, aligning not just geographically but spiritually.
"The aspiration is to echo the ambience and essence of the original Venkateshwara Temple [in Tirumala], creating a spiritual haven in Auckland that honours its revered counterpart in India."
Now that resource consent had been secured, Sirigiri said preparations would commence for religious observances leading up to the groundbreaking ceremony.
"[Auckland's Shri Venkateshwara Temple] is envisioned as a vibrant cultural hub ... [that] will host spiritual gatherings, cultural events, educational programmes and community celebrations," Sirigiri said.
Under the temple's construction plans, its architecture will adhere to South Indian tradition, featuring ornate gopurams (monumental towers), sacred geometry and vastu shastra (ancient Indian architectural doctrine) principles, Sirigiri said.
"The sanctum sanctorum will house Lord Venkateshwara (believed to be an incarnation of Hindu god Vishnu) surrounded by intricately carved deities and murals narrating stories from Hindu scriptures," Sirigiri said.
"The temple will [also] serve as a centre for cultural education and interfaith understanding," he said.
"Programmes in yoga, music, dance and philosophy will welcome the wider community, enriching Auckland's multicultural tapestry and offering younger generations meaningful opportunities to connect with their heritage."
