A masterplan for an Islamic hub at an existing school has drawn ire from some residents for its “exclusivity” and being an inappropriate use for the site.
The Australian International Islamic College (AIIC) at Durack, in Brisbane’s southwest, has submitted a development applicationthat would expand its K-12 college, and add a mosque, childcare centre, medical centre, aged care accommodation, shops and apartments.
The Australian International Islamic College’s project manager for the development is receiving treatment and unavailable to comment on the plans.
The site, at 724 Blunder Rd, Durack, is zoned Community Facilities — Educational Purposes.
IN THE MASTERPLAN:
- 3000 sqm of retail commercial and medical space over two levels
- An aged care facility
- 120 residential apartments
- A mosque
- Additional classrooms and a child care centre to support ultimate capacity of more than 2000 students
A petition against the proposal, which has about 120 signatures, lists the site being inappropriate for the proposed development, noise concerns from the mosque, inadequate parking, traffic concerns and the “exclusive” nature of the site in its objections.
“The apparent exclusivity of the proposed development to a religious group will offer hardly any benefit to the community it is situated in as a whole and is inconsistent with the multicultural community that already exists in the suburb,” it stated.
Councillor Steve Griffiths (Moorooka) submitted an objection to the masterplan but emphasised to South-West News it was only on planning grounds, not cultural or religious ones.
He said he supported the school’s expansion, the plans for a mosque and childcare centre because they fit with the site’s educational purposes zoning.
His submission states: “With the inclusion of four five storey apartment complexes, retail, short-term aged care accommodation, future child care, place of worship etc., the impact on other local residents’ amenity appears well beyond that expected of its use as Community Facilities — Educational Purposes.”
A Need Assessment study from Urban Economics commissioned by AIIC stated the development would have an “important cultural orientation towards Mecca”.
“Convenience retail and upper level commercial and medical space will add value to the development of the Middle Eastern and South East Asian cultural hub, whilst providing a new destination for local Study Area residents to access day-to-day needs and top up facilities and services”.
It said aged care and medical services were needed as the area grew and that other retail and commercial ethnic hubs had been established throughout Australia.
It gave Sunnybank Market Square, with its strong Asian influence, and Inala, which had “a distinct Vietnamese population and business profile” as prime nearby examples.
Traffic reports by TTM Consulting commissioned by AIIC consistently found “no traffic reason” to prevent the development’s approval.
The Australian International Islamic College’s project manager for the development is receiving treatment and unavailable to comment on the plans.
A Brisbane City Council spokeswoman said the application was under assessment.
“In 2015 Council raised a number of concerns about the proposal, including impacts on neighbours, traffic management and environmental impacts,” she said.
“Amended plans were provided to Council last year in response and the review of the amendments is currently underway.”
She said 21 submissions were received during community consultation, with four in support.