The redevelopment of the Omar Mosque at Gwynneville is a step closer with revised plans being put on exhibition through the city council.
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Plans to demolish the mosque and build a larger place of worship were approved in 2016 needed a modification.
Artist’s impressions show a relatively plain white wall surrounding the property, with a large green dome and two green minarets rising within.
As well as areas for worship, the new establishment would also include a youth centre, a gym, and a cultural centre.
The redevelopment was necessary because the city’s growing Muslim population had outgrown the original facility, established in 1994.
“The existing mosque is not large enough to accommodate the current peak patronage on a Friday (approximately 223 persons),” the original application said.
“The congregation has simply outgrown the existing facility, and more worshippers fit within the facility than [can be] comfortably accommodated per prayer mat area within the 135 square metre floor area.
“Rather than turn away worshippers … at the back of the mosque there is a covered area of 24 square metres which is used as an additional prayer area and can accommodate 25 people. The remaining worshippers utilise the areas outside the mosque including the driveway and concrete areas within the property. This situation is for a short period of time on Fridays.”
The remaining worshippers utilise the areas outside the mosque including the driveway and concrete areas within the property
- Development application
There had been concerns raised about the number of people attracted, given the estimated 800 Muslim students at the University of Wollongong. But the mosque was able to demonstrate it did not expect more than 250 people at any one time, as prayers are held at several times in a day.
The mosque had been required to modify the designs to include a “padmount substation” to service the venue’s power needs. This is a standard, small transformer unit mounted on concrete.
The proponent said this meant there was no substantive change to the approved plans.
The mosque does not plan to issue calls to prayer.