Sydney council approves Jewish eruv after multiple court battles

 

The St Ives eruv 

 

 

Ku-ring-gai Council has finally approved an eruv formed by electricity wires in part of St Ives, on Sydney’s north shore, after numerous court battles and vocal opposition from some residents.

Councillors voted 8-2 last night (Tuesday) to retrospectively approve the eruv, a symbolic, spiritual marker that allows Orthodox Jewish people to do things on the Sabbath they would not normally be able to do, such as push strollers, use a wheelchair, carry shopping or visit family.

The markers, which have been up for about 18 months and were put up without council approval, consist of plastic conduits attached to 571 Ausgrid power poles, with electricity wires marking the boundary of the eruv. 

The application under the Roads Act was made by the Helping Families Unite organisation, following an appeal in the Land and Environment Court against the removal of the eruv. Around 330 people in St Ives identify themselves as Orthodox Jews.

Ku-ring-gai Mayor Jennifer Anderson said she was pleased that the matter had been settled and that residents had had their say.

“We heard some very compelling and passionate speakers at the meeting last night, both for and against,” she said. “The council’s duty was to assess the application on its merits and ensure proper process was followed, which has been done.”

Ku-ring-gai Council had previously looked into removing the eruv, estimating that works would cost $50,000, but it received a Supreme Court Summons in July this year seeking orders restraining it from taking action.

The eruv has proved a hot button issue in the area. The council carried out a survey of about 2000 residents living in or near the eruv in September, which revealed that half of the 618 respondents wanted the eruv torn down, arguing that religious laws had no place on public land and that the group had not sought prior council approval.

Comments recorded on the survey in opposition to the eruv included that it was “very divisive”, “created a Jewish enclave” and some claimed that Orthodox Jews were “forcing their views” on other people, asserting that this set a bad precedent for other religions.

Others respondents feared the eruv could affect house prices or increase segregation in the suburb.

One said that it would cause “real estate devaluation due to religious area”, while others said they “don’t want to be known as a Jewish suburb” and that it “creates a ghetto-type situation”.

Some opposition was fuelled by the fact that council permission had not been granted for the conduits, calling it “ugly and sneaky” and saying that it “did not follow the proper process”.

But 41 per cent of residents supported the eruv, saying it was barely noticeable and did not affect anybody. Some said the eruv should stay because religious beliefs and laws should be respected.

Comments included: “Not noticeable. Life changer for those that believe” and other called it a “great initiative. Strengthens Jewish community” arguing that people should practice religious tolerance and support families.

One person said that the community was “plagued with bigotry”.

Nine per cent remained neutral.

 

Timeline

2010                                     Development application and several Roads Act applications lodged with Ku-ring-gai council for a northern eruv

2011                                     Council refuses application

2011                                     Appeal lodged with Land and Environment Court against the refusal

2012                                    Court rules in the council’s favour, saying it has the say over what can go in a road reserve

2012                                     Second appeal lost 

July 2016                            Council receives a Supreme Court summons restraining it from removing the eruv

August 2016                       Application received from group Helping Families Unite for retrospective council approval for eruv

November 2016                 Application approved by council                   

 

For more information about the eruv’s boundaries visit www.kmc.nsw.gov.au/eruv  To view the council report go to the meetings tab at www.kmc.nsw.gov.au for 8 November.

 

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One thought on “Sydney council approves Jewish eruv after multiple court battles

  1. Sydney Mayor Abelson’s stand is an heroic one. When a man in a position such as his is able to take a stand according to deep conscience, understanding the horrific and unending suffering of such a disenfranchised, downtrodden. apartheid- oppressed people as the Palestinians, it is an extremely rare act of selfless political heroism. The difference between this man and Malcolm Turnbull, who would probably sell his own mother into slavery to further his political career, could not possibly be more painfully obvious to all fair minded citizens of this country . . .

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