TEMPERS flared as Ku-ring-gai Council voted last night to reject a plan by its Orthodox Jewish community to erect a symbolic spiritual boundary within its borders.

Some members of the Jewish community in the area had been planning for more than five years to erect the eruv, an enclosed area that allows Orthodox Jews to push and carry objects such as prams out of doors on the Sabbath.

Elizabeth Gipps ... ''they should accept [the decision].'' Credit:Wolter Peeters

But despite their claims the 36 poles and adjoining wires needed were similar to those in other suburbs and cities across the world which had little impact on residents, a majority of councillors said the residents they represented were opposed to it.

''This is not New York, it's not Bondi, this is St Ives and Ku-ring-gai,'' said Councillor Cheryl Szatow, who seconded the motion to reject the proposal.