ILLEGAL PRAYER HALL OPERATORS DEFY COUNCIL’S ORDER TO SHUT DOWN

An illegal prayer hall frequented by controversial Sydney cleric Wissam
Haddad has continued to operate despite a Council order to shut down
immediately.

An investigation by Council’s compliance team has revealed the operators of
the Al Madina Dawah Centre at 54 Kitchener Parade, Bankstown have
blatantly ignored the “cease use” directive.

“Council has been conducting surveillance of the premises, and it is quite clear
there is still unauthorised use,” a Council spokesperson said.

“Despite the front gates being closed, we observed several people using the
back door, and a stream of people were coming and going.”

Council notified the operators that they were in breach of the order and they
were given seven days to explain why they should not be issued with a
Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN).

That period has now lapsed, and Council today issued a PIN for $3,000 for
operating a development without consent under the Environmental Planning
and Assessment Act 1979.

By way of background, Council issued a “cease use” letter to the operators of
the Centre on 22 December last year, notifying them they only had approval to
operate as a medical centre.

Council will continue to monitor the centre and may seek further legal action to
ensure they cease the unauthorised use

Council has been working very closely with the local Bankstown Police and NSW Government, and
have been offered support and assistance in shutting down these types of premises.
“Council needs to make it clear that we have no control over what is preached inside these “illegal”
prayer halls and our role is to ensure the premises are used in accordance with their authorised
use,” the spokesperson said.
“We will continue to monitor the centre and will be taking further action if necessary.”
Non-compliance may result in Council issuing a penalty infringement notice of $3,000 for an
individual or $6,000 for a corporation for breaches of the Environmental Planning and Assessment
Act 1979