Melton councillors have expressed concerns about a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal decision to allow the construction of a mosque in Melton South.
VCAT over-ruled the council’s decision to deny the developer permits for 171-197 Harkness Road after a tribunal hearing earlier this year.
In July 2012, the council issued a permit for the site to be used as a place of worship, restricting the permit to five years, the building’s use to Wednesday and Friday evenings and Sunday mornings, and the maximum number of people in attendance to 60.
But earlier this year a new applicant, Melbourne Islamic Centre, sought an amendment to the permit for the construction of a mosque, which would increase the site’s use from nine hours a week to 26 hours.
Prayer sessions would run for no more than 45 minutes five times a day between 5am and 11pm.
Council planning and environment manager Bob Baggio said the council received six objections from owners of nearby properties to the proposed amendment, citing increased hours, traffic and noise and visual impacts.
In handing down VCAT’s decision last month, tribunal member Geoffrey Code said some of the existing permit conditions would remain, including the “modest” size of the building, the maximum number of people in attendance to not exceed 60, the use not to cause nuisance, and the worshippers to park vehicles on site.
A council report presented at a meeting last week states the “establishment of urban type uses, such as places of worship, are becoming an issue for council in the rural areas, particularly in the northern green wedge”.
On its website, council identifies green wedges as spaces that provide opportunities for agricultural use and tourism, sites for infrastructure that supports urban areas, and sites that preserve rural and scenic landscapes.
Mr Code said a place of worship was not prohibited in a green wedge.
“State policy refers to supporting developments in green wedges that offer social benefits,” Mr Code said.
“The mosque offers religious and social benefits for people of the Islamic faith in and around Melton.”
Cr Kathy Majdlik, while moving a motion to note VCAT’s decision, said she didn’t agree with the tribunal.
VCAT has ruled Melbourne Islamic Centre is required to seal a kilometre of Harkness Road as part of the permit.
