Islamic group lodges application to establish ‘mini mosque’ in popular industrial area

AN ISLAMIC group hoping to establish a ‘mini mosque’ in Darwin has made an application to establish the place of worship in a popular industrial area

An Islamic group hoping to establish a ‘mini-mosque’ in Darwin has made an application to establish a place of worship in an industrial area in Winnellie

AN Islamic group wanting to establish a “mini-mosque” in Darwin has made an application to establish a place of worship in a popular industrial area.

The Association of Islamic Da’Wah have lodged an application with the Development Consent Authority to convert a warehouse in Steele St, Winnellie, into a place of worship.

The group are hoping the application will be approved and end their decade-long search for a suitable location.

The mosque would have capacity for about 10 families and would serve the seven Darwin families currently practising the Islamic chapter.

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Islamic Da’Wah chairman Basuki Suratno said the group weren’t concerned how nearby businesses could impact on the mosque, given the lack of availability of suitable venues in Darwin.

“We’ve been looking for a place of worship for many years but there is none available on the market in the area,” he said.

“We’ve been searching for more than 10 years so when we looked at other options and looking at other zoning, (we came across) general industry.

“I totally understand (there would be a risk) in the general industry zone.”

But members of the DCA expressed concern over the proposal, suggesting the clients didn’t realise what impact surrounding businesses or future developments in the area could have.

Given the mosque would be in a general industry zone, all surrounding businesses could produce up to 70 decibels measured at their boundary.

DCA chair Suzanne Philip said she didn’t want to give consent to the mosque being built, giving the impression new developments wouldn’t be allowed to create excessive noise.

“What does it mean for the surrounding land when they produce something which may be noisy,” she said.

“Will we be in a position where we can’t say ‘yes’ because there’s a place of worship?”

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Representing local businesses, Brad Cunnington said existing buildings were worried the proposed development would compromise the area.

“My client is not concerned with the presence of the place of worship, they are concerned with maintaining the integrity of their business to grow in a general industry area,” he said.

“It is really critical these areas are held first and foremost for general industry.”

The decision on whether to provide consent to the mosque will be revealed to stakeholders later this week.