That is the official statement from Mid-Western Regional Council in relation to an online petition created by an ‘Angry Citizen’.

The petition titled – No Mosque in Mudgee – had 3,861 supporters on change.org on Wednesday morning, just 1,139 short of the 5,000 ‘needed’.

It’s unclear why 5,000 is needed and what would happen if that figure was reached.

The online petition was posted on Saturday, a day after a question and answer session was held in Mudgee encouraging the community to ask ‘the tough questions’ about the religion.

The petitioner describes the ‘application’ as the “most outrageous idea I've ever heard in my time on this earth” with the anonymous petitioner questioning, “How can it even be justified?” due to the ‘negligible Muslim population’ in the area.

“If there were to be a Mosque built here in Mudgee or within this region, what would it have to offer? Sure, there would be some profits to be made, namely by the Mid-West Regional Council, the land owner and possibly a handful of other businesses... most will go untouched in that respect,” the petition continued.

The majority of comments on the petition sprouted hateful and racist statements. 

“Australia needs more mosques like it needs a dose of bubonic plague,” one commented. 

Another wrote “we don't want any mosques in Australia. They become meeting places for would be killers.”

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The petitioner concluded “I ask you to please sign this petition and any other petition related to this issue” throughout Australia.

Council have made it clear that the Mid-Western region does not have a current Mosque application, clarifying that “it is expected that any such application would require notification and public consultation.”

“The requirement for public consultation depends on the nature of the proposed development. This may include neighbourhood notification, public exhibition and advertising.”