A controversial Islamic centre linked to extremism could have been closed years ago, as it did not have a council permit for religious gatherings.
The Al-Furqan Da'wah Centre and Bookshop in Springvale South has been linked to three major anti-terror operations since 2012, most recently earlier this month when teenagers who had attended the centre were arrested for planning an Anzac Day attack inspired by Islamic State.
Harun Mehicevic, the cleric who ran the centre, announced on Wednesday night that Al-Furqan would close to protect locals, members, and the Muslim community from "constant harassment, pressure, and false accusations".
But the City of Greater Dandenong could have closed the centre years earlier, as Al-Furqan did not have a planning permit as a place of assembly despite regularly hosting lectures and prayers.
An application for a permit was made in 2010, but was refused in April, 2011. The council received three objections.
It is believed that a council planning representative then told Al-Furqan members that if they incorporated a bookshop into the centre it could be classified as a business and would not require a permit, as the Wardale Road shop was located in a commercial zone.
A person familiar with the discussion said that bookshelves were included as a token gesture and an area for gatherings was established behind them.
It is unclear whether the council inspected the site, and it does not appear that Al-Furqan's increased notoriety raised any concerns.
"Council has no evidence that the bookshop has subsequently operated as a place of assembly," Jody Bosman, the council's director of city planning, design and amenity, said.
A place of assembly is defined as "land where people congregate for religious or cultural activities, entertainment or meetings".
A neighbour said that the manager of a corner shop, that has been closed for at least three years, had complained to council about Al-Furqan because of problems with parking during popular events, but it is unclear whether this objection was made after the centre applied for a permit.
The small strip of shops contains another religious organisation and a small business. Neither of Al-Furqan's business neighbours wished to comment.
The Age reported last week that the Islamic community planned to reach out to Mr Mehicevic and his followers, amid fears isolating his group could push extremism further underground.
Mr Mehicevic may also return to his native Bosnia. He bought land there three years ago in a community established by Nusret Imamovic, a terrorist leader that the US Department of State believes is fighting in Syria.
Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Lucinda Nolan said last week that the centre had closed because of increasing pressure from the media, not police.
"We don't concentrate on locations. We concentrate on people and risks. And I think associations don't make someone guilty. For us, it's around people involved, and particular people representing a risk to the community.
"We certainly haven't been putting pressure on the Al-Furqan centre."
Mr Mehicevic claimed that "insidious campaigns", led mostly by the media and politicians, were the reason for the centre closing.
Last Monday, he denied any link between the men arrested in relation to the Anzac terror plot and Al-Furqan.
In 2012, police raided 12 properties across Melbourne that had links to Al-Furqan.
Numan Haider, who was shot dead during a confrontation with police last year, had also attended the centre.
