By Hamish Heard
MORE than 50 opponents to a controversial mosque packed Hobsons Bay’s council chambers last week to watch councillors handball the proposal to an independent planning panel.
The panel will compile a report weighing up more than 250 submissions about the Islamic Society of Newport’s proposal to build a mosque for 500 worshippers close to homes in Newport’s Blenheim Rd.
The proposal has angered local residents who fear it will lead to traffic and parking chaos and shatter the peace in their quiet neighbourhood.
But the mosque’s proponents argue the residents’ fears are unfounded, saying two nearby schools will be noisier than the worshippers.
Newport West Action Group spokeswoman Rebecca Parry said the group’s main concern was with the mosque’s proposed hours of operation.
“We don’t feel that the hours of 4.20am to 11.10pm seven days-a-week, 365 days-a-year is appropriate for the area,” Ms Parry said.
“They say they don’t expect 500 people to turn up at 4.20 in the morning but if that’s the case then why do they need a permit for those hours?” she said.
Ms Parry said she bought her house opposite the proposed mosque 18 months ago.
“We weren’t aware at that time that the council had sold the land to the Islamic Society and we decided to move here because we felt it was peaceful at night,” Ms Parry said.
“This proposal in its current form will absolutely shatter that peace.”
But Islamic Society of Newport spokesman Mohamad Elhawli said the project would bring an economic windfall to nearby homeowners.
“It’s a very good development and it will boost the price of houses in the area,” Mr Elhawli said.
He said the state-of-the-art building by renowned architect Glenn Murcott had the potential to become an Australian architectural icon.
“It’s the first building throughout Australia that has the combination of Islamic and western civilisation,” he said.
Mr Elhawli said the group’s supporter base eclipsed the number of people opposing the mosque.
“We could have brought thousands along (to last week’s council meeting) but we didn’t want it to be like a football game so we just sent a few committee members,” he said.
He dismissed fears that it would destroy the peaceful neighbourhood.
“The school next door is much noisier than a mosque would ever be,” Mr Elhawli said.
The council will use the independent planning panel’s report to make a decision on whether to seek ministerial approval for the development from Planning Minister Justin Madden this year.
