THE announcement on Monday that the Shaolin Foundation had accepted the Planning Assessment Commission’s decision to approve a heavily modified concept for the temple and tourism at Comberton Grange – and that it would proceed with the project – was a welcome shot of good news for the region.
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So, too, was the undertaking to finally pay the balance of the $5 million for the purchase of the site.
While we are still a long way off from seeing the project realised, we have been told by Shaolin representative Patrick Pang that work on detailed designs would soon begin.
He assures us once construction is under way that, in itself, would become an attraction. It will offer visitors a unique insight into an ancient building technique only seen in China.
It has certainly been an interesting ride for the temple project so far.
When first proposed, it provoked a storm of opposition not because of the project’s scale but by virtue of its Buddhist origins. Local religious ministers threatened a “holy war” against it – intemperate words indeed. One of the early opponents was Paul Green, who later became mayor and after that an MLC in the NSW Parliament, shifting his position from outright opposition to support.
Then opposition shifted as the plan grew, incorporating a golf course and 300 homes.
Now all that is behind us, most people seem happy with the outcome. As a region we look forward to having among our drawcards a place of harmony, beauty and quiet contemplation, as well as insight into another culture.
