THE Newcastle Muslim Association’s plans to build a mosque in Buchanan have been sensationally approved during a heated meeting of Cessnock council.
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The development was approved 6-4 after nearly two hours of emotional speeches from residents and Hunter Muslims on Wednesday night.
Gutted Buchanan residents quickly left the chambers to a heavy police presence after the vote.
Most residents went home, but some stayed and fired off insults to the mosque’s supporters. It took just minutes for councillors to slam each other for “ignoring” the wishes of residents, while pro-mosque councillors hit back and accused the other side of succumbing to racism.
“The majority of residents are opposed to this development, they spoke very well and they were ignored,” Cr Rod Doherty, whose ward includes Buchanan, said after the meeting.
“This was not about race … this was about a development being ill-suited to the area.”
Newcastle Muslim Association spokeswoman Diana Rah said the organisation was pleased with the result and hoped they would be welcome in Buchanan.
“We are very thankful to Cessnock councillors for the support they have given us tonight,” Ms Rah said.
“We hope to start working with Buchanan and become part of the community like anyone else.”
Those in favour of the mosque included mayor Bob Pynsent, Cr Graham Smith, Cr Morgan Campbell, Cr Catherine Parsons (all Labor), Cr James Ryan (Greens) and Allan Stapleford (Independent). Against the proposal included Cr Bryce Gibson, Cr Rod Doherty (both Liberal), Ian Olsen (Independent) and James Hawkins (Labor). Cr Cordelia Troy (Independent) was absent.
In their speeches, residents argued the mosque would create traffic problems and was not suited to a rural area. Some residents argued the presence of a mosque would lead to increased crime in the community.
Resident Nick Swanson – the husband of Paterson MP-elect Meryl Swanson – told councillors “the safety of my family is in your hands”.
“Every time there is an international incident, mosques around the world go on high alert,” Mr Swanson said. “Tell me how residents in a rural area can live with that hanging over their heads – who would want to live in that environment?”
Respected Newcastle refugee advocate Sister Diana Santleben urged everyone to leave religion aside.
“We are not a Christian nation, we are a secular nation,” she said.
“I feel sorry for you folk who bought rural properties because I bought in Maryland, which was also rural at that time, but that is life.
“The Hunter Valley is changing daily.”
