Date set for decision on Glenhaven Mosque development proposal

The NSW Government has set a date to decide the fate of a controversial development proposal for a mosque in a rural town in Sydney’s north west.

An artist impression of the Glenhaven Mosque at 1 Larapinta Pl, Glenhaven.

• Glenhaven Mosque: NSW Planning Department delay decision
• Joint Regional Planning Panel defers decision on Glenhaven Mosque
• Hills Shire Council raise multiple objections to Glenhaven mosque
• Glenhaven Mosque: 1000 submissions against development

The NSW Planning department will have left anxious Glenhaven residents in limbo for close to a year before a decision will be heard on a controversial proposal for a mosque to be built in the rural suburb of The Hills.

This week a NSW Planning spokesman revealed a date had been set for the proposal to return before the Sydney Central City Planning Panel for determination on August 22, almost 11 months after it was first deferred.

An artist impression of the Glenhaven Mosque at 1 Larapinta Pl, Glenhaven.

On September 27, 2018, a NSW Planning Department panel decided to defer a decision on the proposal following a marathon 50 speakers which were made up of Glenhaven residents raising concerns around the proposal or and hopeful worshippers calling for it to be approved.

The panel sought more information from the developer and a lengthy reassessment of the proposal from The Hills Shire Council.

At the original meeting panel members raised concerns around traffic, waste water, the restriction of worshippers and the length of time prayers would take place following a record 1000 objection letters by Glenhaven residents being submitted to council.

Rick Allison at the location where the Glenhaven Mosque is being considered. Picture: Monique Harmer

In its original assessment of the proposal, The Hills Shire Council revealed 17 reasons why the development should be rejected, which supported residents’ concerns around issues raised in regards to the proposal, including the fact that the development did not fit the nature of the suburb, should be proposed for a business or industrial precinct, increased the level of noise in the suburb, provided a lack of parking and would result in increased traffic congestion.

In the September deferral, Hills District Muslim Society vice president Karim Ibrahim said the organisation was “comprised of local Muslim residents and was established by a group of volunteers just like the Friends of Glenhaven”.

“There is a significant unmet need of a permanent local place of worship for the Muslim community,” he said.

Mr Ibrahim said there were currently 800 to 1000 members of the Hills District Muslim Society.

Following the announcement of the determination date this week, Hills Shire mayor Michelle Byrne said she was glad the application will soon go back before the panel for a decision.

Hills Shire Mayor Michelle Byrne.

“It has been a lengthy process particularly with changes made to the development application, however, I thank the residents for their patience during this process,” she said.

“It is important that a decision is finally made and that the community is no longer left in limbo about the future of the site.”

COUNCIL’S ORIGINAL REASONS FOR REFUSAL

The development is not in keeping with the low scale rural-residential nature of the area, and the 10 metre structure will have an adverse impact on the streetscape.

A place of worship of this size is better suited to an area zoned business or industrial, similar to where Hillsong Church is.

The nature of the development will result in large amounts of worshippers congregating for significant number of consecutive days which will have adverse impacts on the local amenity.

The proposal will result in adverse noise impacts.

The site does not have access to sewer.

The parking provided is inadequate for the type of development.

Cars will park along Glenhaven Rd and Larapinta Pl, which will be dangerous.

Given the location it is unlikely that the worshippers will use public transport, therefore will need to rely on private transport.