Leppington mosque: $4m plans to expand Al-Madinah Mosque before Liverpool Council

A $4 million bid to demolish and expand a popular mosque is being driven by the region’s population growth, with the new facility set to accommodate up to 400 worshippers if approved. READ WHAT’S IN STORE.

An artist impression of the men’s section in the proposed expansion of Al-Madinah Mosque in Leppington. Pictures: Planning documents

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A multimillion-dollar proposal to redevelop a mosque in Leppington would cater for future generations if it gets the green light, with the region in the midst of a population boom, according to the applicant.

Plans to demolish an existing cottage at 1492 Camden Valley Way, which currently operates as a place of worship for the Muslim community, and build a new two-storey mosque are now before Liverpool City Council.

The proposed expansion of Al-Madinah Mosque is set to cost nearly $4 million and, if approved, will accommodate up to 400 people.

The $4 million plans are now before Liverpool City Council. Pictures: Planning documents

General secretary of Al-Madinah Mosque, Shahzad Raja, said the project would be entirely funded by the Muslim community and provide more facilities than the current mosque, which can only for small groups of worshippers at a time.

Under the expansion bid, the ground floor of the new building will feature a praying area for men, separate wash areas and toilets for men and women, a kitchen, office and caretaker’s accommodation.

A praying area for women will be located on the first floor as well as a counselling room, library or meeting room, and teaching spaces.

Its proposed hours of operation are 5am to 11pm, seven days a week, with a total of 83 carparking spaces to cater for worshippers and 29 overflow spaces for special events, according to planning documents.

An artist impression of the proposed women’s section of the redeveloped mosque. Pictures: Planning documents

Mr Raja said the “main driver” of the expansion proposal was the “significant” population growth in Sydney’s southwest.

“The expense in here is to certainly accommodate the community. Whatever we build here is not to cater (for) today’s generation, but it’s for years to come,” he said.

“The Muslim community, we are like any other community regardless of the religion or race.

“We just want to have a place where the community can go and do their worship and exercise their worship needs.”

Submissions are open until August 18.