Owners of the prayer room at 22 Dempsey Rd say it is not accessible to the public and is not open 24/7 so not much should change.
The sign they plan to install reads “Masjid Al-Sahabah”, which a Mitchell Shire Council report said loosely translated to “Companions of Muhammad Mosque”.
But owner Qasim Shah said the prayer room was not a mosque – and the sign loosely translated to “a place to prostrate of the Companions of Muhammad (peace be upon him)”.
“It is for our family and our friends,” he said.
“We wouldn’t operate a mosque here because it’s a residential area and we respect our neighbours’ privacy.
“We put the sign up so our friends and family can differentiate between the house and the prayer room.
“I’m more than happy for my neighbours to visit and see what it is. They can get in contact with me and I’ll walk them through to show them we are abiding by the conditions of the permit.”
A total of 17 objections were received in relation to the original permit application in 2011.
An objector appeal was lodged at VCAT against council’s decision to grant the original planning permit.
VCAT determined that a planning permit be granted for the use and development of the land for a restricted place of assembly for up to 20 people.
Dempsey Rd resident Bernard Barry said he was seeking legal advice and considering his options after the council decision.
“I don't wan't anything on the street that attracts large groups of the public to the quiet area and increases traffic,” he said.
“It's a nice, quiet area away from everything. I don’t want people coming up and down the street all the time.
“The sign he has put up describes it as a mosque, which it is not supposed to be. If it was just his family and friends using the prayer room, why does he need a sign?”
Fellow resident John Keefe said he was surprised council allowed the sign in a rural residential area.
“I have no objection with the prayer room. It’s no different to having a big shed on your property,” he said.
“But now we have a very big building that is being advertised as a public mosque. I would like to see council enforcing the conditions of the permit.
“I’m trying not to be a bad neighbour, but we may have to look at other legal options to see the conditions of the permit enforced.”
