EVER since the Garden City Mosque was badly damaged in an arsonist attack last year, members of the Islamic Society of Toowoomba planned to rebuild.

Yesterday Toowoomba Regional Council referred an application to expand the mosque to a full council meeting.

Parking and noise concerns were listed as the main concerns by the region's councillors.

What is planned

THE rebuild includes an expansion of the mosque by 159sq m to a total ground floor area of 419sq m.

A mezzanine level would see the building raised to two storeys.

 The new mosque would reach a maximum height of 7.6m.

The extensions would give the mosque a rectangular appearance, with large windows on upper levels.

The western extension includes an expanded auditorium space and the eastern side will have two foyers, amenities and an open mezzanine area.

Two outbuilding will be retained.

Currently there is a gravel car park to the north and it is proposed that it be sealed to reduce dust and noise.

A southern car park would be built, with 18 new spaces in that area, expanding and improving access from West St.

A total of 42 car parks will be available to worshippers.

There would be five prayer sessions a day, seven days a week, with the earliest starting at 4am and the latest at 10pm.

Under the plans, no more than 50 worshippers will be allowed at all sessions apart from the busy noon Friday session where 150 will attend.

As part of the plan a 2m sound barrier is proposed to reduce noise.

There will also be extra landscaping at the site to improve its streetscape appearance.

If council knocks back the application

THE mosque already has approval from council, it was the extension that triggered a new approval process.

The Chronicle understands that if council knocks back the current application, the Islamic community will scale back its plans and rebuild the mosque under conditions already granted by local laws.

That means members will not have to restrict the numbers of worshippers, erect sound barriers or increase streetscape at the site.

New car parks would also not be built.

Arson attacks

The two arson attacks which took place last year are yet to be solved.

The first attack took place in January when a large hole was burned in the prayer hall, next to the main building.

It was thought accelerant was poured onto the floor and lit on fire.

A $25,000 reward did not turn up any leads that led to arrests.

A second, and more serious attack, took place in April.

The attack almost completely destroyed the mosque.

Carpets and walls were burned and glass shattered after the fire.

Emergency services used fire breathing apparatus to bring the fire under control, but the mosque was rendered ususable.