By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
Mosque takes tough line as congregation booms…
Worshipers clogging up nearby streets with illegal parking face being named, shamed and possibly banned from their mosque if they don’t mend their ways.
The threat comes as the mosque, in a congested part of Cleeland Street, Dandenong, has been allowed to double its Friday congregation despite a 200-plus car parking shortfall.
The Dandenong Turkish Islamic and Cultural Society has said it will do what it can to knock its congregation into line to minimise the disruption caused by the increase.
In a heated meeting last Monday, divided Greater Dandenong councillors approved the centre’s request to increase maximum on-site worshipper numbers from 150 to 300 on Fridays between noon and 2pm.
Its numbers have also been permitted to swell from 300 to 500 during the month-long Ramadan and the end of the Kurban period.
Parking comes under acute stress in the area which is surrounded by houses, Chisholm TAFE, Dandenong Hospital, clinics and Dandenong North Primary School.
The Islamic society, which has no plans to increase its 41-space off-street car park, has pledged “zero tolerance” for illegal parking by its congregation.
Mosque vice-president Suleyman Sahingoz said members monitored nearby streets and would “naming and shaming” repeat culprits in front of the congregation.
“If it happens two or three times, that person will be banned from the mosque.”
He said the inconvenience caused was brief because the Friday service lasted only 20 minutes.
A sizeable number of worshippers walked to the service and drivers were invited to use the TAFE’s car park during that time, he said.
“The problems are overstated, to be honest.
“But it doesn’t mean we don’t take it seriously.”
Mr Sahingoz disputed claims that the mosque’s numbers would continue to climb.
The influx was largely refugees continually moving to new suburbs and closer congregations, he said.
He said the mosque had open communication with its neighbours.
It was recently awarded for community service by Holt federal MP Anthony Byrne – attracting Muslims from a range of nationalities, helping refugees and young people and working closely with state and federal police, Mr Sahingoz said.
“The main reason we’re here is to help the community.
“We’re the ones who have to live with our neighbours and our neighbours have to live with us.”
Last Monday, opposing councillors listed neighbours’ complaints of illegal parking over driveways, impediments to emergency vehicles and lack of access to nearby homes and businesses.
Cr Angela Long cited the case of a parent with a disabled child who was hindered from catching a taxi outside their house.
“Some churches don’t pay rates… and I’m not against that but our ratepayers are very upset they can’t get into their own driveway.”
Cr Matthew Kirwan later accused “some councillors” of worrying more about votes at the next election than making the “right decision”.
“This was a victory of populism over common sense and making good planning decisions on behalf of the whole community.
“This was a planning matter pure and simple and a lack of 227 car spaces onsite can’t be ignored by a responsible council.
“Apartment developers will now have a field day asking for (parking) reductions.”
Councillors who voted for the move described it as supporting one of the city’s diverse cultures and faiths.
Cr Jim Memeti praised the site’s location and said worshippers walked from Dandenong Market, the hospital and the TAFE.
“We celebrate everyone’s faith. This is what makes this municipality great.”
Cr Roz Blades said the hospital could help by lowering its parking fees.
She said many hospital visitors could not afford to park there, further clogging side-streets.
“The mosque is not responsible for that.”
At the meeting, Crs Memeti and Heang Tak took umbrage at Cr Kirwan’s assertion that the mosque was in the wrong location.
Cr Memeti – who said he took “strong offence” – said the mosque was in just as “right location” as St Mary’s Catholic Church.
Cr Kirwan retorted that Cr Memeti was misrepresenting him. “It’s in the wrong place because it’s in a street with not enough parking.”
He later said other churches, temples and mosques had moved to sites with sufficient onsite parking when they outgrew their locations.
Mr Sahingoz said he’d taken offence at Cr Kirwan’s “wrong location” statement.
Citing a 20 per cent Muslim population in Greater Dandenong, Mr Sahingoz said: “If that’s the wrong place, where can we go?”
