A Triumph for Community: Sikh Volunteers Australia Secures Their New Home Base

After a determined two-year journey, Sikh Volunteers Australia (SVA) has received planning approval for their new headquarters at 1565a Dandenong-Hastings Road, Langwarrin VIC, a landmark achievement for one of Victoria’s most impactful not-for-profit organizations.

Known for delivering hundreds of thousands of free meals to the homeless, vulnerable, and emergency-affected communities, SVA now has a permanent base to expand their mission and deepen their community engagement.
Canter Town Planning proudly led this transformative project from concept to approval—developing a strategic planning pathway, coordinating documentation, and facilitating negotiations with Frankston City Council.

Navigating overlays and zoning controls including SLO1, BMO, ESO3, DDO4, and LDRZ, we ensured full compliance across environmental, bushfire, access, and amenity requirements, delivering a lawful, fit-for-purpose facility that supports SVA’s growing operations.

This success was made possible through the efforts of an outstanding consultant team:
– Ranges Consulting– Ecological assessment
Keystone Alliance – Bushfire Management Statement
Green Heritage– Cultural Heritage Management Plan

Together, we built a compelling case that balanced technical precision with undeniable community benefit.

The approved site will feature over eight buildings, including a commercial community kitchen, prayer spaces, and facilities to support SVA’s iconic food vans. With this new base, SVA can confidently scale their operations: delivering more meals, responding to disasters, and offering a central space for cultural connection and reflection.

We’re incredibly proud to have supported this transformative project. Our heartfelt thanks to the SVA team, our consultant partners, and Frankston City Council for their collaboration and trust.

At Canter Town Planning, we believe in planning with purpose, transforming complex processes into meaningful outcomes that uplift communities and create lasting social impact.

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