The tribunal today heard an application lodged by a group of about 15 Bendigo residents, accusing its president and deputy president of bias.

A VCAT spokesperson said the Tribunal handed down an oral decision, dismissing the application for recusal on the grounds that there was no actual or reasonable apprehension of bias. 

“Written reasons will be provided in the final decision of the tribunal, which will be handed down in the near future,” the spokesperson said.

The decision paves the way for a decision to be made on the original objection to VCAT, heard in February this year.

Bendigo Mayor Peter Cox has welcomed the tribunal’s decision.

“It’s been dragging on a bit,” Cr Cox said.

Asked if the decision meant a ruling on the original objection would be imminent, Cr Cox said: “You would hope so.”

About 15 residents have appealed to VCAT against Bendigo Council's decision to give the Australian Islamic Mission a permit to build the mosque on a two-hectare piece of land between two industrial zones.

EARLIER, Bendigo anti-mosque campaigners will head back to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal today for another hearing.

The group of residents has lodged a claim of bias against VCAT president Justice Greg Garde and one of his deputies.

The claim comes after an earlier hearing of an appeal against the city's first mosque in February this year.

Objectors challenged the City of Greater Bendigo Council's decision to approve a mosque in Bendigo East.

A ruling on the appeal won't be made until the bias claim is dealt with.

Bendigo council says it's disappointed by continual delays in the case after it approved plans for the Islamic centre in June 2014.

Earlier this month, council's planning and development director Prue Mansfield said the latest objection was matter for VCAT and mosque opponnets to resolve.

“However it has the potential to further delay a decision on the mosque and that it very disappointing given the number of delays that have already occurred,” she said.

“The issue is of considerable interest to our community and the city is keen to have it dealt with expediently.”

Mayor Peter Cox and Councillor Rod Fyffe reiterated council's want for the matter to be resolved quickly as possible at a celebration to mark the end of Ramadan in Bendigo this month.

Cr Cox said the matter was unfortunately out of council's hands.

“We’ve been making enough noises to say ‘let’s get on with making a decision’,” Cr Cox said.

“It’s a very democratic process, but it’s very, very disappointing.”

About 15 residents have appealed to VCAT against Bendigo Council's decision to give the Australian Islamic Mission a permit to build the mosque on a two-hectare piece of land between two industrial zones.

VCAT does not comment on hearings.