The application for a mosque at Botany Street Carlton has been deferred for more information on traffic, hours of operation and the plan of management.
The Georges RIver Local Planning Panel has deferred the matter calling for more information on the mosque's Plan of Management including details on traffic, hours of operation, number of visitors and the calendar of events.
Before the panel was an application by the Hurstville Community Association to change the use of a vacant nursing home to a Place of Public Worship with community facilities at 88 to 92 Botany Street, Carlton, to provide services to the local Mulim community and the wider general community.
It came with a recommendation by Georges River Council for approval.
The application includes the demotion of a single dwelling at 92 Botany Street to provide on-site parking for 23 car spaces.
The DA was on public exhibition for 123 days from January 29 to May 31, 2020.
The council received 3,284 individual submissions and petition form letters.
In response, the application amended the operational procedures and the DA was placed on exhibition again for 76 days from December 2, 2020 to February 12, 2021.
The council received a total of 1,026 individual submissions, pro-forma submissions and a petition.
According to the DA, the mosque would have an operating capacity of 20 people and a maximum cap of 100 people during peak periods, principally Friday prayers.
Up to 10 times a year a maximum of 120 patrons would be permitted on the site during festival periods such as Ramadan, or Friday Prayers.
THE EID celebrations would not take place on site and there would be no call-to-prayer using external amplified system on the site, according to the DA.
The hours of operation would be 5.30am to 9.55pm, seven days a week.
A maximum of 20 patrons would attend 7am prayers and 10pm prayers daily.
The Panel heard from 23 local residents and experts in relation to the proposed use and six people appearing for the mosque.
"It was apparent to the Panel that there were a significant number of misunderstandings as to the nature and use of the operation, exacerbated by the deficiencies in certain aspects of the submitted information," the Panel advised in its decision to defer the matter.
"Of concern was the lack of clarity in relation to the acoustic impact of the proposal after 10pm," the Panel stated.
"While the Panel sought to understand the nature of 'community uses' it remains unclear as to the nature, type, frequency and intensity of those uses throughout the day and their demand on parking in amenity impacts.
"The proposed Plan of management was considered to be deficient and lacked clarity as to the nature and intensity of use over time.
"The Plan failed to satisfy the Panel that the operation of the premises would occur as proposed.
"The applicant did indicate the Plan can and would be amended to address these concerns.
"The Panel acknowledges that a Place of Worship is capable of a low intensity use which, if managed properly, can co-exist in the area.
"However, this proposal also has infrequent large events with amenity impacts which require a more robust and reliable management regime."
The Panel deferred its determination so these issues can be clarified and addressed with additional information being provided to amend the DA.
