Hi My name is Kerry Stewart and am a Long Term Resident of Eden Park, Victoria.

I have formed a Group made up of Residents in the Woodstock-Eden Park area of the City of Whittlesea who by chance stumbled across a Planning Application for a nearby property.

After contacting Council for more information the Community banded together within 48 hours for our first meeting with over 100 concerned residents took place.

The outcome from that meeting was that:

We strongly oppose the proposed Place of Worship at 330 Grants Road Woodstock 3751.

This is not about Religion or Racism, what it is about destruction of our GWZ and the staggering amount of these applications in Victorian GWZ areas that it is time to take a stand and protect our Environment.

While the application appears modest, it introduces public assembly into the Green Wedge Zone (GWZ), which exists to protect rural land for farming, conservation, and low-density living.

This however is a smoke screen for what the Development truly is, we have uncovered the master plan which is for an Arts, Cultural and Education Centre that can accommodate up to 10,000 people for Events and Festivals.

We have now appointed a Town Planner and a Lawyer to represent and advise us and urgently need to raise Funds to cover Town Planning, Legal Fees, Disbursements and Admin materials as we know that this Application even if refused by Council will go to VCAT.

Research shows and examples at other sites nearby where permits have been granted raise serious concerns about future expansions, traffic increases, and land use intensification.

Woodstock–Eden Park area is a close-knit rural community cherished for its open spaces, native wildlife, mountain views, and peaceful lifestyle.

With properties ranging from small rural lots to larger agricultural holdings, the area has remained largely unchanged for decades due to strict planning controls designed to preserve its unique character.

I together with over 150 other Residents have lodge objections for the Application of a Hindu Temple " Place of Worship", Meditation and Yoga Studio in our sacred GWZ with the City of Whittlesea with Council potentially making a decision in August 2025.

This type of Urban Development does not cater for the Local Community in any way and endorses Exclusion in our Community.

The application proposes regular services, weekend gatherings, and additional activities such as yoga classes—uses incompatible with the GWZ and the expectations of long-standing residents, which will introduce 100's of people over the weekend and on Special Event days into our Area.

This is not a facility where the General Public or local Residents will be able to attend Yoga or Meditation Classes, so please do not be jaded by that being an option as it wont happen.

Grants Road is classed as a major Fire Road and our only means of escape should be experience the threat of fires like we did on Black Saturday.

No regard has been made for the Wildlife, Livestock and Aboriginal cultural significance in the area or the existing Residents.

We have lobbied the Council, Councilors and Planning Team extensively and held 2 Community meetings with well over 100 residents attending each meeting.

We ask that you kindly assist by donating to our Legal Fighting Fund so that we can preserve our GWZ and set a precedent for others in the future.

Kind regards

Kerry Stewart and the Woodstock-Eden Park Residents Green Wedge Group