Bendigo’s council has signed off on plans for the city’s first mosque, with construction on the place of worship expected to begin within weeks.
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The final plans uploaded today to the City of Greater Bendigo website show a 2000-square-metre facility bound for the East Bendigo location, a building that will include a a prayer hall, sports hall, domed courtyard and 120-space car park.
The council's tick of approval comes less than one fortnight before the Australian Islamic Mission’s planning permit is due to expire.
The applicant must now secure a building permit issued by a private surveyor before construction begins.
If work does not commence on the site by August 6, the applicant must apply for an extension of up to six months.
But Heri Febriyanto said an extension should not be necessary with preparations to the site due to begin before next month’s deadline.
“We are happy the plans are approved,” Mr Febriyanto said.
Funding was still being sought for the mosque, he said, with the local Muslim community considering fundraising efforts in Melbourne and interstate to pay for the construction.
“We will get there with the help of everyone in Bendigo.”
Mayor Cr Margaret O’Rourke said that once the permit was acted on, the council’s role was limited to ensuring the development is built and operates in accordance with the requirements of the permit.
Read more: Appeal rejected, mosque to go ahead
“We are the responsible planning authority and the mosque has been considered under the planning legislation,” Cr O’Rourke said.
“This is the city’s only decision-making power relating to the mosque. It has no other direct or financial interest in the mosque.”
The plans’ approval comes three years after council first granted permission for a mosque to be built in Bendigo.
Subsequent appeals to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, the Victorian Court of Appeal and the High Court of Australia were all dismissed.
Read more: Openness at heart of mosque design