EXCLUSIVE
A group opposing plans for a $40 million Islamic school between Greenvale and Sunbury says it does not want any ‘‘Bendigo or Melton-style’’ protests when it takes its concerns to a Hume council meeting next month.
The council has received a planning application for a primary school, eventually catering for up to 600 pupils and 35 staff, at 200 Wildwood Road, Oaklands Junction.
The application, lodged on behalf of Ozzi Trade Pty Ltd, includes seven learning/community buildings, an administrative office, a library and multi-purpose building, gymnasium, canteen, sports ovals and a grey water treatment plant on 17.1 hectares of farmland about four kilometres from Melbourne Airport.
Phil, a spokesman for Stop the Mosque and Islamic School Sunbury/Oaklands Junction, who did not want his last name printed, confirmed the group had been approached by Reclaim Australia and the United Patriots Front.
Those groups were involved in protests that turned violent against mosques in Bendigo and Melton last year.
‘‘We’ve knocked them back,’’ Phil said. ‘‘We don’t want a rally. We are simply urging local people to come out peacefully and show the council what they think.’’
While the group claims to have knocked back Reclaim Australia in relation to staging a rally, it appears to have accepted help from them with promotional material.
Phil acknowledged the group, which has about 20 core members, was primarily opposed to the school on religious grounds. But he said it did not believe a school of that size was justified.
‘‘There’s no reason for it – the Muslim population in Sunbury is practically nil,” he said. ‘‘They will have to bring in people from other areas or from overseas.’’
Phil said the group was urging people against the school proposal to attend the next council meeting in Sunbury, on May 9.
Demographic data shows 1.3 per cent of Sunbury’s population identifies as Islamic, but the figure is more than 22 per cent in Hume’s urbanised east, including Craigieburn, Meadow Heights and Broadmeadows.
For Hume’s rural balance, including Greenvale and Mickleham, the figure is 7.2 per cent.
MAP SHOWING THE PROPOSED SCHOOL’S LOCATION TO SUNBURY AND GREENVALE
A social impact statement prepared for the applicant said 2300 extra primary school places would be needed in Hume by 2036.
The statement said the Oaklands Junction school would play a role in stopping the ‘‘global emergency’’ of radicalisation of young Muslims.
‘‘The Muslim population in Hume is large and we want to support inclusivity and acceptance through our school,’’ it said.
‘‘Our immediate concern is to demonstrate to Hume council the need to support our new Muslim school as a positive expression of our wish to integrate our children with Australian society and values while maintaining our faith.’’
Mayor Helen Patsikatheodorou said Hume was happy to be one of the most diverse and harmonious communities in Australia.
‘‘We’re proud to welcome people from every country of the world,’’ she said.
‘The diversity of Hume is one of the best things about this beautiful place we call home.’’
RELATED: Hume Council Traffic and Transport assessment for the school – PDF
