By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
A NOBLE Park pastor, whose church was compelled to spend $70,000 on an off-street car park, has accused Greater Dandenong Council of double-standards.
David Owen, who leads Noble Park Christian Church, said councillors had committed a “gross abuse of its bylaws” by voting for Emir Sultan mosque to double its Friday congregation to 300 despite a 227 car parking shortfall last month.
“This is what causes religious problems – this whole favouring of one religion,” Mr Owen said.
“If every place of worship does the same, the council can’t knock them back because it sets a precedence.”
Prior to the council’s decision, the mosque’s swell of visitors had incensed nearby residents and business owners due to traffic and parking mayhem in Cleeland Street and the surrounding district.
The mosque’s administration has no plans to increase its 41-space off-street car park but vowed a “zero-tolerance” for illegal parking by its congregation.
Mr Owen also opposed a proposal for the council to build a car park off Dalgety Street, Dandenong South, for a nearby mosque and Russian orthodox church.
Mr Owen said the leniency is in stark contrast to how the council dealt with his church when it built near homes and shops in Hosken Street, Noble Park, 10 years ago.
He said despite a surplus of on-street parking for the church’s 30 Sunday worshipers, the church – which has capacity for 300 worshipers – had to build a 60-space car park at its own expense.
“I’m not against flexibility but when I think about how rigid they were with us…
“The only shop open on Sunday mornings is the bakery. We didn’t need the car park.”
Last month Mr Owen wrote to councillors on behalf of Dandenong Ministers’ Fellowship about the “ridiculous concession” given to Emir Sultan mosque.
Cr Jim Memeti said the mosque, as well as the places-of-worship near Dalgety Street, also provided off-street parking but just not enough.
“That would be the same for synagogues and churches that have been there for 100 years.
“If someone passes away and there’s a big funeral, you would find there wouldn’t be enough parking.”
Emir Sultan Mosque’s most popular congregation on Fridays was being well catered for by opening up the neighbouring Chisholm TAFE’s car park, he said.
“We can build them on Greens Road or far away but it makes it difficult for everyone to attend. A lot of the people are old and retired.”
Cr Matthew Kirwan, who opposed the application, said other places of worship had moved and built new temples in Springvale South due to parking overflow or been knocked back by the council on the basis of crowded parking.
No resident had so far appealed to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal over the decision mainly due to the tribunal’s exorbitant fees, he said.
“The feedback I’ve had from the decision is people feel let down by the council.”
