(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - A mosque and community centre will be built in the Gungahlin Town Centre after the ACT Government approved the direct sale of land to the Canberra Muslim Community.
Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said the 5390m sq site, on The Valley Avenue, was selected following consultation with the Muslim community and other residents in the area.
The sale includes the use of an adjoining block for overflow parking under a licensing agreement with the Government.
Mr Stanhope said the extra space should alleviate any concerns about traffic or parking pressures.
“The CMC has a large and growing membership and the new mosque in the Gungahlin Town Centre will cater for its members for the coming decades,” Mr Stanhope said.
“The 500-capacity mosque includes a community centre, on-site parking for visitors, and access to overflow parking for large events and services.
The ACT Government gave in-principle agreement for a direct sale of land to the CMC in December 2007.
A site was initially indentified in Nicholls however the CMC withdrew its interest following a revision of the proposed size of the facility.
The Canberra Times reported in September that the Government was considering the land on The Valley Avenue after the Nicholls site proposal caused community outrage at public meetings in 2009. Residents of that suburb were concerned about traffic volume and a lack of car parking spaces.
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