Rebuilding the Hermitage

From the Ashes

In January 2014, an electrical fire burned down the main facilities of Vimokkharam Forest Hermitage. Thus, one of the main missions of the Hermitage is to rebuild its premises.

After many years of planning, and overcoming countless obstacles to obtain the necessary planning and building permits, the re-construction of the Hermitage has now begun. The completion of the project will enable Vimokkharam to once again become a suitable home for the practice and embodiment of the qualities of the Noble Triple Gem for our community.

November 2020 / 2563

Foundation pouring

After months of obstacles and problems, we managed to pass our first five inspections for our temple rebuilding. On November 6th, we had 31 concrete trucks coming and going as we poured 167 cubic metres of concrete to complete our foundation slab.

July 2020 / 2563

Ready to begin construction

On July 15th, we finally received our building permit for the construction of the Hermitage. Construction is scheduled to begin shortly.

November 2019 / 2562

Phase 1 Complete

On November 20th, we have been issued a final certificate of completion for the retaining wall and now have Council consent to proceed to Phase 2.

June 2018 / 2561

Ready to begin construction

After a long and complicated process, we have now succeeded in gaining planning permission approval for rebuilding Vimokkharam (see plans below). We are now able to proceed with the building stage. As one of the conditions of our permit, we must build a retaining wall on the northern bank of the site before we can begin building the temple itself. We have engaged the services of a Building Surveyor to help with contract negotiations with our contractor and also to facilitate the application for a building permit for the wall.

December 2017 / 2560

Waiting for Council (reprise)

We heard back from Council in late October with a very encouraging response, but with a request for more documentation and updates to our current Land Management plans, etc. We have now responded to the Council’s request for further information on our amendment and are waiting to hear back once again. With no major issues left to be discussed, we feel cautiously optimistic about being granted full planning permission on our amendments. We hope to hear the official response from Council before the end of the year.

October 2017 / 2560

Waiting for Council

As of October 17th, we are still waiting to hear back from Yarra Ranges Council about our planning amendment. In the meantime, we have been focusing on our working drawings and making inquiries with contractors in the hopes of being able to move forward.

September 2017 / 2560

Hermitage Design Finalised

As some of you know, we received a conditional planning permit last November, but this came with nearly two dozen conditions that had to be fulfilled. With the inclusion of conditions like the retaining walls and taking into account geotechnical issues and other regulations, the building sub-committee has come up with a great final design which aimed to balance some very strict regulations, aesthetics, cost concerns, and many varied opinions.

These plans have just been submitted to city council on Friday, September 8. Once we are able to amend our planning permission, we will finally be able to go forward with rebuilding the Hermitage.

December 2016 / 2559

Getting Started

The Planning Permit for the redevelopment of the site comes with some arduous demands before any actual building works can proceed.

The most significant of these is the design and construction of a number of retaining walls. Most people may be aware of these areas that are largely made up of cuts into the hill, one at the back of the previously existing building extending along to the carport and behind the Kuti and the corresponding bank behind the sheds and compost toilet.

The Building Subcommittee have sourced fee proposals for the services of the following; a Land Surveyor, Building Surveyor and Structural & Civil Engineer.

We have also engaged the services of a draftsperson to produce the documentation required to call tenders on the works and to obtain a building permit. He will work in conjunction with the Architect who has kindly donated his services to prepare the Schematic Design for the new Hermitage and will continue to assist with the Design Development.

Once all the various fee proposals have been received the Building Sub-committee can make the important decision how best to proceed forward with the relevant documentation.

Some of you may already be aware that we also hope to reconnect the mains power supply before the building works commence in order to make the living facilities on site at little easier.