United Muslims of Australia behind Padstow mosque ambition submits “multipurpose community facility’’ plan

BANKSTOWN Council has received a development application for a multipurpose facility in a building on Enterprise Ave to include an area for prayer.

THE United Muslims of Australia which raised more than $3.25 million to build a mosque in Padstow has submitted a DA for a “multipurpose community facility” in Enterprise Ave.

The proposal states community facilities are permissible in the light industrial zoned site, which sidesteps Bankstown Council’s tightening in March of controls on places of worship to ensure places are compatible with suburbs.

The site of a proposed “multipurpose community facility” on Enterprise Ave, Padstow.

The UMA Centre Pty Ltd application aims to provide social, sporting, cultural and intellectual facilities but also includes an area set aside for prayers.

MORE THAN $3 MILLION RAISED FOR NEW MOSQUE FOR 5000 WORSHIPPERS IN PADSTOW BUT NO DA LODGED

Facebook page Stop The Mosque at Padstow has listed 14 objections and urged opponents to make submissions to Bankstown Council.

Sunset prayer at Lakemba Mosque. Picture: Justin Sanson

The group criticised contradictions over the number of visitors at any one time and operating hours in the DA and disagreed traffic and parking impacts on the cul-de-sac would be minimal.

TIGHTENING OF PLACES OF WORSHIP POLICY NOT PROMPTED BY PADSTOW MOSQUE, SAYS BANKSTOWN COUNCIL

Visitors vary from 40 to 52, and hours of operation are listed as 6am to 8pm and 4am to 10pm seven days a week.

“The acoustic assessment document provided by the applicant should be deemed invalid, as part of it was conducted over the Easter holiday period,” the group said.

The DA will be open later this month for submissions.