New mosque proposed for Ormeau street in Gold Coast’s far north

The Gold Coast could get its first mosque north of the Coomera River under plans lodged with council. FIND OUT MORE

The Gold Coast could get its first mosque north of the Coomera River under plans lodged with council.

The proposal includes a 115 sqm extension to transform a house on Vaughan Drive in Ormeau into a place of worship, with an existing granny flat designated as caretaker’s accommodation.

A report by Think Economics said the development was needed because there were no mosques in the city’s far north.

“The nearest Mosque to the subject site is circa 30km away which significantly impacts the ability for members of the local Muslim community to regularly visit a place of worship, particularly for daily prayer which is common within the Islam religion and would be a desire for some members of the local community,” it says.

Exterior of a house which is set to be redeveloped to become a mosque. Picture, John Gass

The mosque is expected to operate seven days a week between 5am and 9.30pm with a maximum of five services per day. The typical service lasts just five minutes.

There are no neighbouring residential properties to the proposed mosque.

A report lodged with council says Fridays will be the busiest days of operation.

“With regard to the number of visitors attending the site and the prayer sessions, the place of worship has been designed for no more than 80 worshippers at the site at any one time,” the report reads.

“However, during all days except Friday only 10-20 prayers are expected on site at anyone time.

“Additionally, to the rear of the site is a proposed ‘open space area’ for the use of community events.

“Such areas are proposed to provide sanctum for reading and contemplation and occasionally provide an area for outdoor gatherings, prior to and after prayer.”

The report notes the mosque would also be a centre for activity during special festivals including Eid.

There are no other mosques within 30km. Picture, John Gass

“The mosque will serve as a hub for a variety of collaborative community projects, with a strong focus on fostering interfaith collaboration,” the report reads.

“Planned initiatives include an Interfaith Youth Festival (which) will encourage interaction between young people from different faith backgrounds, promoting understanding and co-operation among future generations.

“(It will also host) workshops and forums (which) will provide a platform for dialogue, aiming to foster mutual respect, understanding, and collaboration between religious communities.

“By addressing shared values and societal challenges, these forums will contribute to greater social harmony.”

If approved, the development would become the city’s third mosque, alongside one in Arundel and another in Southport which opened in 2019.

The plans come more than a decade after an application to build a mosque in a Currumbin Waters industrial estate was rejected by council after public protests.