By Brendan Rees
The launch of Narre Warren’s highly-anticipated 1001 steps track has been controversially dumped amid concerns it would have been disrupted by anti-mosque protesters.
Casey Council cancelled the event just days after approving plans for a proposed mosque in Narre Warren North where about 50 people were locked out of the public meeting on 16 July – which was described some as “disgusting” and “manipulative”.
Staunch mosque opponent councillor Rosalie Crestani said she was “a bit shocked at first” of the event being scrapped but respected council’s decision as “emotions in the community were still running high.”
“I can see the reason why the mayor wanted to give it some space,” she said.
Cr Crestani, who spearheaded the steps project three years ago, said she believed the community “would have acted peacefully” at the launch on 20 July.
“Possibly they (council) may have thought there had been a concern but I’m only assuming,” she said.
Casey manager of governance Holly De Kretser said the event was postponed due to the “heightened emotions” following the council’s decision to approve plans for a mosque.”We felt this would detract from the celebration of this project,” she said.
Cr Crestani said the steps, based at Bayview Park, had “resonated with the community”.
“Already people are saying they regularly take the steps for their exercise and they don’t want to travel further afield,” she said.
“This has regional impact which is I think is exciting.”
The track has transformed a disused tip into a $1 million tourist attraction with sweeping views of Port Phillip and Western Port bay.
While a new official opening date has not been confirmed, the attraction is already completed and open for use for the community to enjoy.
The Saarban Islamic Trust’s application for the proposed a mosque on Belgrave-Hallam Road in Narre Warren North garnered 773 objections – with opponents now taking their fight to Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
