Welcome diversity, Andrews tells Bendigo

Bendigo residents should embrace cultural and faith diversity after a legal bid to stop a mosque being built was quashed, Premier Daniel Andrews says.

The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal upheld a council planning decision on Thursday, giving the regional city's first mosque the go-ahead.

"I say it should be a source of great pride for regional communities, that they've provided such a welcoming environment for people to come from all parts of the world," Mr Andrews told reporters on Friday.

The tribunal found there was no evidence the mosque would cause "any significant social or other effects to the community".

A planning permit was granted to the Australian Islamic Mission, with conditions on operating hours, patron numbers and construction requirements.

"Country communities can be especially proud that they through secondary settlement have been a home, a welcoming place, for so many thousands of people who've come from war-torn parts of the world," Mr Andrews said.

"It's such a country thing to do, it's just what regional people do, look out for each other."

A group of 11 residents took the planning decision to VCAT, arguing it would contribute to the "Islamification of Bendigo".

The local Muslim community have been using facilities at La Trobe University to worship.