Attachment D - Vipassana brief

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INTRODUCTION

VCQ freely provides non-sectarian 10-day residential meditation courses for
adults as well as one and two day courses for children and teenagers. The
techniques are taught progressively and are referred to as an art of living that
can be applied in everyday life. Vipassana is a logical and pragmatic
technique of observing the reality of mind-matter phenomena as it naturally
occurs, allowing the practitioner to tap into a reservoir of calm during the
busyness of daily life.

There is no religious conversion, guru or sectarianism involved; rather, it is a
technique that provides self-dependence and equanimity leading to a
happy and productive life, beneficial to everyone.

Participants come from all age groups, walks of life, nationalities and religious
persuasions.

As a voluntary organisation, the Centre is administered by a Trust comprising
people who have previously sat a course. Neither the teacher, assistant
teachers volunteers receive any form of remuneration, with all donations
being sourced from students who have completed a ten day course and
would like to provide the opportunity for future participants to benefit.



HISTORY

The original site was purchased in 1989 and is constantly improved and
maintained to enhance native features; including plantings of over 400
native trees along the southern easement, as well as many hundreds of
native plantings on the inner grounds. The aim being to provide a conducive,
peaceful environment and a beautiful natural setting.

Many of the generational wild kangaroos that regularly visit the Centre know
it as a place of refuge and frequently congregate amid the gardens and
lawns to rest and graze. The naturally forested 20 acres to the east of the
Centre, along with native stands on the north and south of the Centre have
been fenced and preserved for safe and habitat for native animals.

1993

In 1993, the provision of accommodation for 52 students (including volunteer
kitchen servers, course managers and 2 conducting assistant teachers) was
approved (Ref: TPC No 2252, dated 20/7/1993). This included:

       ·   a commercial kitchen and dining hall with office facilities
           underneath

       ·   meditation hall

       ·   2 ablution blocks

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       ·   accommodation for 8 females and 6 males

       ·   Commercial wastewater treatment plant

2005

Realising the inadequacy of the original buildings, a subsequent
Development Application (DA) was lodged in 2005 to upgrade the existing
facilities for 52 to provide more comfortable and suitable accommodation
for both abled and disabled participants. This submission included:

       ·   A second hall with individual meditation cells

       ·   Expanded dining hall along with adjoining drop off shelter for
           arrivals.

       ·   Meeting deck with water feature

       ·   Reception office

       ·   Assistant teacher rooms, office and interview room

       ·   Accommodation for 17 females (14 with attached bathrooms) and
           19 males (13 with attached bathrooms)

2020

The previous DA has now been completed with the final building, second hall
with individual meditation cells, under construction.

With the intent of expanding site capacity over time to better accommodate
the exponential growth in people seeking to gain benefit from the courses
provided at Vipassana Centre Queensland, the trust is submitting the current
DA proposing:

       ·   Mini meditation hall (to cater for bilingual courses)

       ·   Kitchen and course managers accommodation

       ·   Office upgrade and off centre small meditation hall for local old
           students

       .   Additional ablutions

       ·   Additional single room accommodation (23 females and 27 males
           with attached bathrooms)

       ·   Upgrade of the original hall



 Consultant reports have been collated to accompany the proposal in order
to address relevant sections of local planning regulations.

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In 1993 student numbers on courses ranged between 8 to 27 participants.

In 2006, student numbers varied between 20 to 47 participants per course.

In 2020, the Centre is operating at full capacity with courses fully booked
months before commencement. There are capped waitlists of over 3 months
for hopeful participants. Each year approximately 1730 students attend
courses, but approximately 5000 applications are processed.

VCQ is operating at a fixed ceiling of approximately 22 x 10 day courses, 1 x
20 or 30 day, and 5-6 x 1-3 day courses with the maximum number of
approved participants per course. Therefore, the gap in demand versus
current capacity prompts the rationale for this submission.

Student/vehicle ratios are approximately 3:1, with carpooling and public
transport supplementing the balance. Traffic movements are calculated to
be similar to residential dwellings, as attendees arrive at the start of the
course and leave on the morning of the 11th day. Deliveries and other
comings and goings are minimal.



SUMMARY

The exponential growth in applications over time reflects the benefits
individuals experience as a result of attending these courses. In turn, these
individuals inevitably contribute to their local communities with an improved
sense of wellbeing, productivity and cohesion.

Furthermore, Vipassana centres demonstrate substantial regional income
generation for local business, trades and services connected to the function,
upkeep and growth of these facilities. Each year, numerous people, many of
which are professionals, relocate to the immediate surroundings of the
Centre in order to support it and gain further benefit. This inevitably
contributes to local economy, employment and social structures. Many
course participants travel both domestically and internationally to attend
VCQ, often combining their visits with tourism and hospitality related activities,
further contributing to the region.