A contentious proposal to build a large Hindu temple in Pearcedale has been rejected by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), which ruled the development was incompatible with the purpose and protections of Mornington Peninsula’s Green Wedge Zone.
The application, lodged by Melbourne Ayyappa Seva Sangam Ltd, sought to construct a multi-storey Hindu temple, an eating hall, a ceremonial lake, car park, and associated infrastructure on a 4-hectare bushland site at 1915 Dandenong-Hastings Road. The plans also involved the removal of native vegetation and proposed operating hours of 7am–2pm and 5pm–8pm daily, with two annual 24-hour events.
Following a 14-day hearing across September and November 2024, and additional submissions through early 2025, VCAT issued its final order on 5 August 2025, affirming Mornington Peninsula Shire Council’s original refusal and denying the permit application.
‘Visually discordant’ and out of place
VCAT found the proposed development was “a prominent and discordant built form” that failed to respect the rural landscape or environmental character of the Green Wedge.
In its detailed 50-page decision, the Tribunal concluded that:
“The proposed development would stand in marked contrast with its surrounds… Its religious and cultural expression and symbolic architecture bear no resemblance or contextual relationship to existing structures in the locality or the rural landscape.” — VCAT Senior Members Bill Sibonis and Ian Potts
The Tribunal acknowledged the applicant’s efforts to incorporate landscaping and limit visibility from Dandenong-Hastings Road. However, it found this did not justify the scale and nature of the development, stating:
“Vegetation should not be used to support an otherwise discordant or unsympathetic development… The development should represent an acceptable outcome in its own right.”
Biodiversity concerns reinforced
The site, which falls within Green Wedge Zone Schedule 2 and an Environmental Significance Overlay (ESO2), was found to be ecologically significant, with native Heathy Woodland, Swampy Woodland and Swamp Scrub vegetation — some of it endangered.
VCAT reviewed extensive expert ecological evidence, including mapping disputes over vegetation classification, impacts on habitat connectivity, and the presence of potential threatened species habitat.
While the applicant’s ecologist estimated a loss of 0.746 hectares of native vegetation, including two large trees, objectors argued the loss could be far greater and would diminish habitat connectivity critical to species such as the Southern Brown Bandicoot.
Ultimately, VCAT determined the proposal did not meet the “avoid, minimise, offset” test for native vegetation removal under clause 52.17 of the Planning Scheme and that it failed to protect the biodiversity values expected under Green Wedge and environmental policies.
Tribunal backs community and Council
The application was strongly opposed by residents, the Green Wedges Coalition, and the Peninsula Green Wedge Protection Group, which described the outcome as a win for environmental preservation.
Spokesperson Craig Gobbi said the three-and-a-half-year fight had finally been vindicated.
“This ecologically significant parcel of Green Wedge land is saved. We couldn’t have done it without the community’s incredible support and the Council’s backing throughout the VCAT process.”
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, represented at the hearing by legal and planning experts, maintained consistent opposition to the project on grounds including built form, vegetation loss, amenity, and wastewater concerns.
Cr Kate Roper, provided STPL News comment on the outcome:
“We are really pleased that the panel listened to the concerns of the council and neighbours in wanting to protect the green wedge from inappropriate development.”
Significance for future Green Wedge proposals
The case is likely to serve as a reference point for future applications in the Mornington Peninsula Green Wedge, particularly proposals that involve large-scale institutional buildings or require significant native vegetation removal.
VCAT’s decision reinforces the high bar required for non-agricultural developments in the Green Wedge, particularly those that may visually or environmentally compromise the landscape character.
No permit has been granted.
