SHOALHAVEN Mayor Joanna Gash is confident the Shaolin Temple will still go ahead despite the Shaolin Foundation being granted an extension of time to pay the outstanding money on the purchase of the land.
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Shaolin Temple Foundation representatives Mr Liu and Patrick Pang addressed the council meeting in Ulladulla on Tuesday explaining a delay until January 23 for the foundation to pay the balance of the $5 million owed for the land on which the proposed $360 million temple will be built at Comberton Grange, Falls Creek.
They explained the hold-up was in part due to the Chinese Foreign Exchange needing to approve the release of funds as part of the country’s anti-corruption laws.
“If it [the project] didn’t come off I’d be extremely disappointed,” Cr Gash said.
“If I thought this wasn’t coming I would own up.
“The Chinese government has approved new anti-corruption laws and it is difficult to get Chinese money out of the country.
“We have given them until January 23 and we are expecting the money will be paid in full. There was no mention of instalments as was reported in the paper.”
Cr Gash said she did not know what would happen if the payment wasn’t forthcoming on January 23.
“We would have to face that if it happens. I’m staying positive that it will still go ahead and we will receive the payment,” she said.
“If that doesn’t happen I don’t know.
“I could say ifs and buts and all things but what is the point until we know exactly what is happening?
“They would have to have a very good reason. I’m always open.
“It took eight years for the state government to get to this stage – we have given them three months and now an extra month, compared to eight years.”
The Mayor said council would be asking for a copy of a letter from the Foreign Exchange Board to confirm approval for the advancement of funds from China.
