The residents, many of whom have a Turkish background, are concerned that the proposed monument may divide the community.

Bossley Park resident Adem Cetinay said the Assyrians were not the only cultural group affected by genocide.

``I believe Fairfield Council should not enter into the genocide debate and divide the community,'' Mr Cetinay said.

``I'd hate to see this ignite racial tension but we feel we need to put our point across.''

Mr Cetinay said that without official recognition of the genocide, which occurred in World War I, the monument was more likely to promote debate and ``disunity rather than harmony''.

Mr Cetinay started a petition last week and it has already been signed by more than 800 people who are opposed to the memorial.

``There are many reasons why this proposal should not go ahead and this is just one of them,'' he said.