A PLAN to build an Islamic school on Sydney’s southwestern outskirts was last night rejected by Camden Council, which insisted the decision had been made purely on planning grounds.
However, some of the 200 residents who attended the meeting at Camden Civic Centre took the decision as a victory against Islamic radicalism.
All nine councillors voted unanimously to reject the application by the Qu’ranic Society for a school for 1200 students.
They argued that they had done so because a planning report to the council said it was an inappropriate development for the semi-rural area and would create traffic, parking and other problems.
This was despite the council receiving an unprecedented response to the development application - 3042 submissions were against and 23 in favour.
And after the meeting, some residents made it clear they did not want Muslims in the area.
“Not one councillor could say the reason why,” Kate McCulloch said. “They (the residents) don’t like what their culture is about. Look at every news channel overseas - it is about oppression and it’s just not democratic.
“Hezbollah is a terrorist organisation - I’m sorry, I don’t want them in Australia.”
Asked what Hezbollah had to do with a planning application in southwestern Sydney, Ms McCulloch said it was because of the way radical Islam hid in communities.
“All them terrorist attacks did happen overseas, they were someone’s friends, they were someone’s neighbours, they were people that they entrusted in their own country,” she said.
Camden mayor Chris Patterson condemned the comments, saying he was “all for multicultural schooling”.
“What my role is, is to ensure that due process is taking place,” Mr Patterson said.
Several councillors during the meeting had echoed his comments that the decision had been taken after several months analysis by planning officers.
Last night the council allowed two speakers in favour of the proposal and two against. While two residents spoke against the school, no Islamic leaders attended to speak in favour of it.
A meeting late last year became rowdy as a large number of residents turned up to oppose the school. Last night the meeting and the crowd was much quieter although a major police presence was obvious.
One resident, Peter Smith, said he opposed the school because he believed it would lead to an expansion of Muslims in the area.
One of the supporters of the school has been Mark Latham, the former Labor leader who lives on a large property nearby.
But Mr Smith was dismissive of Mr Latham’s support: “Why isn’t he in parliament any more? Because he’s a dill.”