Australia: Women's Centre Goes Ahead

From the Moreland Leader:

A NEW women’s cultural centre has been given the go-ahead for residential Coburg, despite the concerns of nearby residents.

The Tarteel Cultural Centre, which will be used for activities such as Arabic language classes, reading, Islamic studies and Koran studies, was granted a permit to operate in Barrow St from Sunday to Friday at last week’s Moreland Council urban planning meeting.

Dozens of residents packed the civic centre meeting last Wednesday to object to the centre.

Other concerns included the numbers of people expected at the centre - limited to a maximum of 50 under the permit - and increased traffic.

Speaking for the centre, Rasha Ahmed said the 50-person limit included children and the centre would allow 30 minutes between sessions to address traffic issues.