Cumberland City Council contended plans by the Nabi Akram Islamic Centre for a mosque in Factory Street for 300 people, with 218 parking spaces over three-levels, would leave residents exposed to unreasonable noise and an influx of vehicles.
Describing the judgement as a win for residents, Mayor Steve Christou said he and Cr Joe Rahme, along with the council, had worked hard to ensure the voices of residents were heard.
“We are pleased with the outcome,” he said.
“It’s simple really, residents don’t need to be subjected to noisy streets and congested roads.”
However the centre’s previous president and project manager, Enayat Hassib, voiced his community’s “absolute disappointment” in the decision which he said was “anti-religious”, pointing out that the site already had one church, as well as Australia Post trucks operating 24/7.
Worshipping for 20 years in a building owned by the centre in Cowper Street “with no complaints”, he said it was only sold after being rezoned residential in 2016.
Mr Hassib said they had been congregating in temporary premises while working through a long development application process for the Factory Street proposal during which they had “made every change, and done everything council has asked”.
He added that the Mayor’s statement following the court case was also particularly upsetting.
“We are absolutely disappointed by the mayor’s comments,” he said.
