Fellow Pros,
We had a similar situation regarding the construction of a mosque in Punchbowl.
We initially knocked it back based on not granting exemption until an occupation certificate was issued. Our lawyers initially agreed.
They went to their lawyers who supplied a detailed advice as to why the exemption should be granted even though construction was still taking place.
After our lawyers examined their lawyer’s opinion, our lawyers opinion changed. We then took our lawyers advice with the result being exemption was granted prior to an occupation certificate being issued.
However, each case may be different, so we have not changed our guidelines regarding occupation certificates and will still initially reject future applications until an occupation certificate is issued.
