Green light for regional Victorian mosque

Bendigo Council has approved the regional Victorian city's first mosque after years of protests, planning and legal hurdles.

Work was expected to start within weeks on the place of worship, the council said in a statement on Tuesday.

The mosque was considered under planning legislation and met all requirements, Mayor Margaret O'Rourke said.

"(The council) has no other direct or financial interest in the mosque," Ms O'Rourke said.

Plans for the mosque were granted a permit in 2014 but the decision was appealed to VCAT by residents and the Victorian Court of Appeal, which both dismissed objections.

An appeal to the High Court also failed with the applicant, Julie Hoskin, ordered to pay costs.

The City of Greater Bendigo received more than 350 objections to the development before the $3 million mosque was approved in June 2014.

The design included two prayer rooms, a shop and a community sports hall.