The NSW Government is aiming to ensure places of worship across the state are safer and more secure through the Safe Places for Faith Communities Program.
The Safe Places for Faith Communities Program will see 103 community and faith organisations share in $5 million of grants to ensure the places where faith communities gather and practice remain safe. Six Hindu organisations have received over 650,000$ under this programme.
The program takes a resilience-based approach to safety and security by supporting prevention, preparedness, response and recovery measures at places where faith communities gather.
Funds from this program will go towards upgrading security and surveillance systems as well as initiatives such as managing challenging behaviour training and multi-faith grief support.
The program is an election commitment and is part of a wider $15 million pledge over four years. It was developed in consultation with faith and religious groups and experts across the state, as well as Multicultural NSW’s Community Resilience and Response Plan (COMPLAN) Committee.
NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said,
“NSW is the most successful multifaith state in Australia, our respect of the many faiths and cultures that make up this state enriches our society and our communities.
“Places of worship must always be havens where faith members can gather in peace and prayer, knowing they are safe.”
“The NSW Government is proud to be delivering on our election commitment and we know these projects will deliver real, tangible benefits for faith communities across NSW.”
Minister Kamper further told The Australia Today,
“We want all faith communities in NSW to feel safe and secure, including our Hindu community when they are attending their temples or community sites.”
The Hindu organisations that have received funding under this programme are:
| Satsang Hindu Maha Sabha of NSW | Security Fencing of the Temple and Grounds | $ 39,000.00 | 42 Kibo Rd, Regents Park |
| Chinmaya Mission Australia | Safety Project | $ 49,670.00 | 38 Carrington Rd, Castle Hill |
| Sri Venkateswara Temple, Helensburgh | Security System | $ 225,746.00 | 1 Temple Rd, Helensburgh |
| ISKON Krishna Farm | CCTV and Internet Connectivity | $ 48,890.00 | 525 Tyalgum Rd, Eungella |
| Vedanta Centre of Sydney | Securing Religious Community Venue | $ 50,000.00 | 144A Marsden Rd, Ermington |
| International Society for Krishna Consciousness Sydney | ISKCON Sydney Temple Security Infrastructure Upgrade | $ 250,000.00 | 180 Falcon St, North Sydney |
Speaking about this programme Chair of NSW Faith Affairs Council Michael Stead said:
“As faith leaders across NSW, we are very thankful that the NSW Government has listened to our requests to improve the safety and security of our places of worship.”
“We are proud of our status of one of the most successful multicultural jurisdictions in the world and know that that diversity is reflected in the many faith groups that practice in NSW.”
“Our churches, mosques and synagogues are central to our communities and we know this program will help make them safer for generations to come.”