By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
A SPOKESMAN for a proposed mosque in Narre Warren North’s green wedge has accused Casey Council of giving in to xenophobia.
Casey councillors are set to consider a report recommending the application’s refusal at a special council meeting tonight (Tuesday 26 April).
The controversial proposal was opposed by a 521-signatory petition as well as 1003 objections.
There were 16 submissions in favour, according to a council planning report.
The proposal by Saarban Islamic Trust is for a 450-person mosque, hall and 154-space car park on a green-wedge A site at 365-367 Belgrave-Hallam Road.
Trust spokesman Zain Shah said the council’s recent approval for a chapel and school nearby showed its decision was political rather than about planning.
“This is absolutely a double standard.”
He nominated councillor and Rise Up Australia former candidate Rosalie Crestani’s influence as decisive.
“The council were initially in favour, then when details leaked out of the council especially from this lady (Cr Crestani). It’s just xenophobia.
“She has influenced everything and everyone. We think it’s a conflict of interest for her to be a leader of Rise Up Australia and voting on this in the council.”
Mr Shah said he didn’t expect to make major changes to the design, despite the council report stating the proposal’s scale and bulk was not “sympathetic to the landscape and scenic qualities” of the rural foothills.
“We’ll change as much as we need to get an approval (from VCAT).”
The report also found its car park was likely to be inadequate to cope, based on the council’s surveys of similar mosques at Friday prayer times and the lack of public transport.
The council’s strategic development, urban design and landscape departments, and VicRoads, also don’t support the proposal, according to the report.
Mr Shah said he had the backing of the
State Government and “no problems” from mainstream Judaism, Christian and Hindu leaders.
He said a place of worship for Muslims of India, Pakistan, Fiji and Bangladesh was lacking in Melbourne. The site was chosen because of the flow of migrants into Casey and the land was relatively cheap.
“I have come to this country, given my youth to this country and it’s my country too.”
Mr Shah said the trust would appeal the expected refusal to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
“There’s a few hundred people who have won the battle but we will win the war.”
