Applicants have dumped plans to build a mosque but residents say the updated bid to open a community centre in their quiet neighbourhood would still be used as a noisy place of worship.
Merrylands Islamic Centre For Youth and Adults Incorporated proposes a $1.4m community centre on Myee St where it would be hired for private, community and cultural events, small group indoor sports activities and fundraisers.The applicant states the centre would not be used as a place of public worship but welcomed people from all faiths.Despite this, some objectors are sceptical.“The plans also strongly suggest that this will be a place of worship, which is in contravention of zoning laws,’’ the submission stated, adding there had been “zero consultation”.Neighbours are concerned about noise and traffic congestion at Myee St.Another objector pointed to a community centre at Minto being used as a place of worship, which forced Campbelltown Council to impose a ban after residents’ complaints.The first application for a small mosque for up to 50 worshippers was first made in November 2021 but “significant’’ concerns including a parking shortage were identified. The site was also considered too small for a place of worship.The panel refused the development application in March last year when it cited stormwater, traffic and parking impacts for the refusal.If approved, a house that stands on the 1005sq m site would be demolished to make way for the centre with a multipurpose room, a 12-space basement carpark, a covered outdoor entertainment area, bus bay at the front.The facility is opposite Merrylands East Public School and surrounded by single and double storey dwellings.It would open from 7am to 9.30pm each day and up to four staff are proposed for the facility which would cater for between 15 and 30 people daily and between 50 and 75 people during special events.The existing site. Picture: GoogleThe proposal will be discussed before the Cumberland Local Planning Panel next week when objections including traffic and unsuitable location are on the agenda.A total of 92 submissions were received.One submission detailed that, despite the positives, the site was “entirely inappropriate” and it should be relocated closer to an urban centre.One called out a lack of analysis on the site.“This proposal seems to be pursuing a one-size-fits-all, fast-track approach without the necessary in-depth analysis,’’ the submission stated.The resident said the traffic forecast of 18 and 23 more cars during the respective morning peak period would worsen traffic around Myee, Walker and York streets, and Military Rd.“Furthermore, during school hours (8am to 2.30pm) … Merrylands East Public School experiences congestion on all four sides, and as such would further burden the surrounding environs, from both a traffic point of view but also acoustic,’’ the submission stated.The site is marked in yellow and opposite Merrylands East Public School.Another submission agreed: “It would have to be the most unsuitable street for such a large community centre with such ridiculously excessive operating hours to be located in.’’A Denmark St resident of over 50 years is “deeply distressed’’ about the safety risks extra traffic would produce in the quiet street that has become a “busy free-for-all”.“Twenty years ago we strongly petitioned to have a no-right turn after 3pm into Saint Ann St due to the traffic congestion, we were often trapped in our street,’’ the submission stated.“Should this development go ahead this will only increase the congestion again.’’However, the council’s development engineer said the development was satisfactory and could be supported with conditions.Noise and traffic analysts also gave the proposal a thumb’s up. In its traffic assessment, Koikas said it supported the proposed development, which would not have “any unacceptable traffic or parking implications”.It said the council required a minimum four parking spaces so the 11 planned would be a “surplus”.The panel will meet next Wednesday.
