For two decades, the Rainbow Temple in Rosebank has stood as a striking reflection of the region’s proudly beating spiritual heart.
But the much-loved temple, and the glow worm tunnel that runs beneath it, are now, seemingly, on a collision course with Lismore Council, which could see them demolished or dramatically reduced in size.
The temple was built without a development application and is not compliant with Council’s building rules.
Lismore Council says that rather than demanding demolition, it is simply ‘investigating’ whether the building and the 65-metre tunnel beneath it are structurally sound.
But fears are growing that Council will force the man who initiated the building of the temple, Guy Feldmann, to tear it down.
In response, the local community has launched a campaign to protect the site, including a petition (with 5,000-signatures so far), calling on the Council to allow the building and tunnel to remain as they are.
Calls for cooperation
The petition demands that Council stops the demolition and ‘cooperates with the Temple team giving them time for fundraising, applying for appropriate development approvals and remediation action to take place’.
They have also announced that they will apply for State and federal heritage listing in a bid to ensure the landmark is protected and preserved in perpetuity.
A GoFundMe page has also been launched to support the campaign financially.
‘The Rainbow Temple was built to represent the journey of life on Earth and to the great awakening of consciousness that will allow peace and harmony for mankind with each other and all the aspects of nature,’ the petition states.
‘It deserves to remain as an inspirational icon to all those that have had the good fortune to experience the wonderful, balanced energy that it provides, a true reflection of the natural and harmonious energy that the Rainbow Region is recognised for.’
Mr Feldmann said that he believed the temple would survive to welcome in the next generation and many more to come.
‘The Rainbow Temple is meant to be a meeting place belonging to no religion, but devoted to the truth of life on Earth, the complete journey, past, present and future,’ he said.
‘I foresee a major community reaction if Council tries to tear it down.
Narrow laws
‘Council says it’s unsafe, but it’s been there for 20 years. We have to change these laws. The laws are too binding and totally narrow.
‘I didn’t want to go public with this – I always prefer a diplomatic approach. But they’ve got their heads set to demolish and are not willing to change their view.’
A spokesperson for the Council said the Temple’s vertical extensions were currently being investigated by Council, and ‘no decision had been made with regard to the longevity of the additional floors’.
‘Council, as a matter of priority, has initially requested the owner provide a Certificate of Structural Adequacy, to ensure the building is structurally sound and not an endangerment to the owners, any occupants or visitors,’ the spokesperson said.
‘The matter is on-going.’
To sign the petition, go to getup.org.au and search for Rainbow Temple.
This owner-builder appears to be requesting ‘special consideration’ over this spectacular tourist development.
If a structural engineer’s report was obtained and sent to LCC it would certainly ‘cut more ice’ than any petition.
Or is it an endemic problem that this structure/extensions/tunnel may not pass an impartial safety assessment ?
I wonder if they had a building approval to built the Taj Mahal or Borobodur or any other sacred building in the world. Sure they must tear them down, because they didn’t have a building approval according to your logic.
These historical analogies are not relevant in our modern era.
Perhaps their enlightenment keeps it structurally sound?
How does that work? Someone builds a structure without council approval and when caught out complains about the rules! Those rules are there to protect people by ensuring buildings are structurally sound.
Bad luck you aren’t in Byron Shire, Guy. You can build anything in the bush and Council doesn’t give a rats arse. Even when affected neighbours complain.
The Rainbow Temple should be protected as a landmark.
Heritage listed illegal dwelling.
lol, that is so Lismore
Perhaps its time to reconsider dwellings built outside the approval process…that turn out to be one of a kind “Follies”. There are few buildings out there that are outside the usual intent of MEGA ego/bucks; or Air BnB monoliths purely built for the money. (Gotta say, its gratifying to see so many 6-12 bedroom houses around Byron being sold off/cashing in now. Perhaps this means the “holiday let” fiasco will be behind us and we can return to being “communities” inhabited by people who actually live here. )
Guy’s temple is, whatever one’s opinion on legalities, an amazing structure. Sometimes the profit motive is just not there… more a keen sense of self expression? or an attempt to build something to nourish community?
Perhaps Lismore Council will be astute enough to realise we do need some way to celebrate and preserve these spectacular structures. By all means, determine the structure is safe and then protect it under some new category…
Much better to have a grey McMansion with no trees around it, all fully legal.
Local councils’ poor building regulations give us the unhealthy ventilation , toxic materials and bad heating and cooling ratings for which our housing stock is world famous.
Aesthetic adventures inspire designers and holy cows nourish the poor and enrich the land.
Guy’s Rosebank rainbow stretches back over40 years in my memory so has deep foundations in local current culture. Council could serve it’s community best by aiding and abetting it’s future against johnnie come lately developers pushing their own interests from within council.
When is a Rainbow Temple not a Rainbow Temple???…when someone owns it!..he he…true…and unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be a way to inhabit land communally…due to the council laws n regulations and the “realestate to make money” machine!And if someone did find a way they be fighting off drug and alcohol addicts wanting to live there for free the rest of their life!
So what to do?Have a Rainbow circle meeting and pass around the listening stick?…I’m sure you ll work something out…hopefully set it right for all eternity as a Temple for Rainbow people.
I saw Guy briefly on tv on Friday then our son took us for a drive there. I had the privilege of meeting Guy and his magnificent temple of peace and welcomeness. The beautiful artwork was brilliant, my apologies I couldn’t remember the artist’s name. Why would you want to demolish something so beautiful?
obviously like your web-site but you need to check the spelling on quite a few of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very troublesome to tell the truth on the other hand I’ll surely come back again.
Very interesting points you have noted , thankyou for posting . “It’s the soul’s duty to be loyal to its own desires. It must abandon itself to its master passion.” by Rebecca West.
I would like to post this on my Instagram account.
Interesting discussion. I just recently started feeling a vibration in my right heel. Good to know there’s a name for it. This just came out of the blue, nothing painful, just a strange sensation.
You have my support
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A good solid building. Check out those poles, twice as fat as a telegraph pole. Doesn’t matter how much the wind blows, it’s going nowhere. Similar to buildings in NQ. Very cyclone proof. . It’s so overbuilt, well above usual standards. A lot of very talented artists have stayed there over the years. There work is everywhere , all over the walls. It’s a very creative and inspiring space for artists of all kinds. First floor is perfect for healing workshops, from Qi gong , ti chi, reiki , to ukulele guitar tuition. Athletes working out on the deck with the twirling sticks and poi . Singing after dinner around the cozy fire. A place to go to for a bit of peace and quiet. A quiet place to retreat to till ya get your act together. A sanctuary for people escaping the mayhem of the big smoke. It truly is a one off, never to be repeated. The architecture and artwork is unique. Those that mind don’t matter , those that matter don’t mind. A hinterland icon , much loved and very popular.
I have been there many times over the last 30 years to the rainbow temple, love the place , may it stand for 100 years or more.
I was there in 1982 or 1983 with Guy, Linda and …the Dalai Lama and his companion.
The Dalai Lama came to bless the temple.
I was at the Channon markets, getting a lift later from Guy when he noticed the Dalai Lama and his buddy had stopped in at the Market on their way to Brisbane. It was either 1982 or later, but then the Dalai Lama was not so well known, he was travelling in a white van with another person who was interpreting when necessary. Guy went over to them and just asked if he would bless the temple he was building at rosebank.
I was only a teenager at the time. Anyway the market finished and we all piled into Guys car and the lama and friends followed behind. Once we arrived back at the temple I remember someone asked if the lama needed anything for the blessing. He wanted some water and some flower petals, I remember we rushed around collecting flowers and I distinctly remember that there was one colour that wasn’t suitable but I can’t remember now what that colour was. Anyway the 4 or 5 of us sat on the wooden platform of the temple as the lama said a few words in his own language as he walked around with flowers etc. Afterwards we asked the interpreter for a rough transition of what the lama had said and I remember that he had done a blessing and had called it the temple for everyone or the temple of everything, something like that. It wasn’t until years later when I was telling someone this story that I was made aware of just how amazing that moment was. The whole thing was over in about thirty minutes and the lama and companions got back in their van and continued their journey to Brisbane. I wish that we had had phone cameras in those days because it would have been great to have some pictures. That was back when Guy had black hair. It’s an amazing event and should be part of the Rainbow Temples written history.