Attachment D - Vipassana brief

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.