LOCALS have given their blessing to a giant stone Buddha statue to tower over Sellicks Hill within a year.
As reported on advertiser.com.au this week, the 18m-tall statue which has been in the pipeline for almost 20 years, has finally been given the nod.
The statue, which was originally to be cast in bronze, is part of a $15-million religious retreat to be built on a 55ha site on Cactus Canyon Rd.
As well as the big Buddha statue, it will include a 35m-high pagoda, a temple and Chinese garden.
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The proposal, first lodged in 1997 by SA’s Nan Hai Pu Tuo Temple of Australia Inc, initially faced opposition from locals concerned about traffic safety, visual amenity and noise.
The State Government’s Development Assessment Commission signed off on the proposal last week.
Nan Hai Pu Tuo Temple of Australia Inc spokesman Lee Chew said the statue, pagoda and temple would “blend in” with the landscape with Chinese Feng Shui principles incorporated in the design.
Mr Chew said a last-minte decision to build the statue out of granite had been made due to upkeep concerns.
“We were told a bronze statue would require a lot of maintenance because of the sea air – with granite it will retain its colour,” Mr Chew said.
“The standing statue will face the sea, so it will bring in peace, harmony and prosperity to the people of South Australia.”
Mr Chew says the statue will be constructed from 11 pieces, shipped to South Australia from China.
Construction of the big Buddha is expected to be completed by February next year, with the entire project likely to take five years.
Buddhist monks and nuns will provide counselling and run meditation and relaxation classes at the site.
Sellicks Area Residents Association chairman Michael Lee welcomed the development.
“I’ve always been supportive of it,” Mr Lee said.
“We live in a multicultural society in Australia and it’s a good thing for southern tourism.
“It will put Sellicks Beach on the map.”
Aldinga Bay Trade and Tourism Association chairwoman Hazel Wainwright agreed.
“The temple is likely to bring more than 20,000 people to our area and it’s a great positive,” Ms Wainwright said.
“It’s a lovely way to bring the community together and see something different in the south.”
Sellicks Beach resident Bernice Wuttke said the local Buddhists had addressed concerns with the project.
“I do not have a problem with the people, they are gentle and well-mannered and have done everything they can to address residents’ concerns,” Ms Wuttke said.
“But I think the development will detract from the beautiful hills and landscape of the area.”
Mr Chew says it’s exciting to be able to move on the project.
“We have waited patiently, we are Buddhists and we have waited since 1997,” Mr Chew said.
“We feel very, very good about the outcome … it will be a very big temple when it is completed.”
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