AhlulBayt News Agency

source : Agencies
Tuesday

7 September 2010

7:30:00 PM
203149

Due to Islamophobic propaganda;

Locals: 'Stop the Mosque at Orange Grove'

A row has broken out over plans to build a mosque in Orange Grove which sparked more than 40 complaints from locals.

Last night, more than 150 Gosnells residents at a special electors' meeting in Maddington made it clear they did not want a mosque in Orange Grove.

They voted unanimously to object to an application from the Association of Islamic Dakwah to turn a building into a mosque in Valcan Road.

They raised concerns about extra traffic and possible noise from the proposed mosque.

Gosnells mayor Olwen Searle said the electors made their point strongly.

"They leave no doubt whatsoever what they want and we will consider this in our determinations about the application," he said.

Residents also said the property was used for worship well before the application to the council.

Cr Searle said she would investigate this claim further.

"The application was made in March but we have heard from people that it has been going on for many, many months before that," she said.

The meeting was called after more than 100 people signed a petition objecting to the application.

Though residents and the council say the dispute has nothing to do with religion, at least some opposition was along those lines.

One comment on a local news website queried whether the facility "would be accompanied by loud calls to prayer over the microphone projected to the public at 5am".

Project consultant Pangestu Ginandjar, of PG Engineering Services, a Muslim, said he did not think the plans would be opposed if they were for a church.

He had overseen the construction of other Islamic facilities in Perth which were also condemned by locals. "It's always the case that there is some dissatisfaction," Mr Ginandjar said.

The group only wanted to modify two structures on the 2ha block to turn the main building into a hall and a residence into a school.

At its peak use, 80 people would gather once a month. Permission was also sought for a 20-bay carpark.

Mr Ginandjar said the hall would generate far less noise than a drum kit and there would not be a PA system.

City of Gosnells chief executive Ian Cowie said the application was made in March but not due to be considered until last night.
He said religion would play no part in the city's deliberations.

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