Significant parts of an Islamic school's proposal for a masterplanned hub in Brisbane's south west has been rejected by the Brisbane City Council, with the site restricted to educational purposes.
The Australian International Islamic College (AIIC) at Durack lodged a development application, with the council in February, 2015, proposing a child care centre, mosque, a multi-storey residential building, medical centre and aged care facility be built on the school's site at 724 Blunder Road.
On Thursday afternoon the council issued conditional approval, which fdid not allow the proposed residential building, aged care or shops on the school grounds.
The council permitted boarding facilities for students who live outside of Brisbane, similar to facilities at many other independent schools, but said no to non-educational residential buildings.
The council's city planning boss Julian Simmonds said most of the feedback council received was about the school expanding into non-education related activities.
"Council has heard this feedback and this approval specifically prevents the college from expanding into an exclusive gated community."
The application, care of Urbis, received 50 submissions from the public, of which 18 were valid and 15 of those objected the proposed masterplanned development.
Residents raised concerns about the scale of the design and associated traffic impacts as well as concerns that an Islamic hub could create segregation in the community.
Cr Simmonds said the approved masterplan was assessed against the Sustainable Planning Act.
"Under state planning laws, council is required to assess all development applications without discrimination on the basis of race, religion, politics or personality," he said.
"Several new classrooms have been approved for the college and a preschool childcare centre.
"A place of worship has also been allowed in line with the previous approval, which will also be used by students and the school community."
Cr Simmonds said the approval of a place of worship was in line with the "common practice" across Australia's independent schools.
"By reducing the scale and uses on the site, council has also minimised noise and traffic impacts and ensured that the allowable development is consistent with site's zoning for education."
Cr Simmonds said the council assessed the proposal for a shop on the school site but determined it could not be part of the school.
"A small shop and medical centre can be built along Blunder Road, which will be available to the public and school community and separate from the school," he said.
The school and anyone who made a submission during the community consultation stage are entitled to appeal the council's decision.
Under the masterplan, 2.7 hectares of wetlands and bushland will be protected and transferred to public ownership.
Fairfax Media's calls to AIIC, Urbis and local Moorooka councillor Steve Griffiths after approval documents were issued on Thursday afternoon were not returned.