By LIA SPENCER
A HEARING will be held today (Thursday) to determine whether an application lodged by Catch the Fires Ministries regarding a controversial mosque in Doveton is valid.
City of Casey originally granted a permit on 12 March for a mosque on Green Street, Doveton, despite receiving four objecting petitions which included more than 2000 signatures.
The motion to approve the mosque was moved by Cr Wayne Smith, following the recommendations of council officers. He said many of the objectors were non-residents and about 1900 signatories on one petition did not leave their address, questioning its validity.
Catch the Fires Ministries Pastor Daniel Nalliah said they lodged an application with Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) against the City of Casey’s decision to grant a planning permit for a mosque on Green Street, Doveton, which would be built next door to Catch The Fire Ministries’ new base.
But Casey council’s manager Planning Duncan Turner said that a permit for the place of worship was issued by the council on the written advice of VCAT that no objections were lodged.
Mr Nalliah from Catch The Fire Ministries said an appeal was lodged on 28 March and they received confirmation from VCAT the same day.
VCAT confirmed that an appeal was lodged, but set a practice hearing date for today (18 April) to determine whether it was valid.
Mr Nalliah also said someone had made a “major blunder.”
“If it is the VCAT, I wonder whether I could trust the judgements made by VCAT, as this is the second time they have made a huge mistake. I personally find it very hard to have any faith in the VCAT,” he said.
“If it is the council, what is the great urgency on the council’s part to issue this permit to build the mosque. Is there more to what meets the eye? One has to wonder?”
A spokesperson for the City of Casey said the council would wait to hear the outcome of the hearing before any further decisions were made.
