In an August 27 letter to consultants Smyth Planning, they have also asked the applicant to address several “inadequacies” in the development application.

Many in the community, including the Marulan Residents Action Group are concerned about the size of a prayer hall (1400 square metres) proposed for the site and whether this is “ancillary” to the main use.

Consultant Richard Smyth told the Post it was ancillary but in a letter to Council he’s pointed out the actual prayer hall is 600sqm, comprising 400sqm for males and 200sqm for females. The rest of the area includes verandas, corridors, amenities and office and body washing area, Mr Smyth advised.

Council planners have also asked for more detail on the Al Mabarrat Society’s body washing procedures, burial practices and whether the prayer hall would be used to observe significant religious events.

They have also asked consultants to fix inaccuracies on the DA, including reference to an aged care facility, which did not form part of the application.

They’ve highlighted “inadequacies” in a flora and fauna assessment and called for a “qualified” person to complete a study.

“The inaccurate and incorrect flora and fauna listing appears to indicate that the assessment and survey may have been undertaken by a person not familiar or sufficiently qualified in the area of native vegetation identification or assessment,” Council planners wrote.

They requested more information on the back of state agencies responses on the DA and forwarded numerous community submissions to the applicant.

“Council has received considerable community concern regarding the proposed development as a consequence of the exhibition process,” planners wrote.

“…In this regard a response is required in relation to the standard of the application, inaccuracies contained in the supporting documentation, community benefit and need for the facility.”

The letter’s full text can be viewed on Council’s webpage under the ‘On Exhibition’ drop down bar.

Community reaction 

Marulan Residents Action Group member Peter Callaghan picked up on many of these points in an address to councillors on Tuesday night.

He asked whether the site would be used for other purposes, beside funerals.

“I wonder if they will enter into a legally binding agreement that it won’t be used for other purposes,” he said.

Mr Callaghan questioned the local economic benefit given that the proponents were not ratepayers.

“We believe that this DA is being advanced with no regard for the opinion of the Marulan community,” he said.

“The applicant has demonstrated a disregard for the community by failing to consult.”

Mr Smyth has previously rejected this saying the developers were not invited to two public meetings about the cemetery.

The Action Group has commissioned its own impact studies.

Dr Alison Hunt, whose property lies to the east of the proposed burial ground, also argued the DA was deficient and did not meet state or federal requirements.

“It says to me that the applicant has no regard for Council planning,” she told Tuesday’s meeting.

She said if the development was to be approved, burials should be capped at 12 a year, in line with the Society’s estimates, and for the cemetery to be open to other religions.

Dr Hunt called for a master plan for the site if it was to be developed further, greater scrutiny of water quality impacts and for biodiversity offset area.

Joseph Bucci told the meeting he’d lived in the area for 25 years. His property adjoins the site.

“I strongly object to the development for a number of reasons,” he said.

“The issue can get a bit emotional at times but my objections are based on public interest and planning reasons.

We believe it is not in the community’s interest.”

He queried its need when more land was being released at Rookwood Cemetery for Islamic burials.

Mr Bucci objected to Highland Way’s use as the main access point, describing it as a dangerous stretch and ill equipped to handle traffic loads, which he felt were “under reported” in the DA.

Council staff cannot say at this stage when Council will consider the project, given the unresolved planning issues.