Flashy groom's $220 fine angers residents

A $220 fine handed to developer Salim Mehajer for closing a Sydney street for his wedding has not gone down well with some councillors and residents.

Controversial Sydney developer Salim Mehajer knows how to work the angles.

Considering that it costs $400 to hire out a local park, the Auburn deputy mayor's fine of $220 for closing a street without permission doesn't seem particularly harsh.

At the same council meeting on Wednesday where Mr Mehajer was fined, there was a motion to have Local Government Minister Paul Toole investigate his conduct.

But it failed to win support.

Mr Mehajer made headlines over the weekend when he blocked a Lidcombe street and hired out four helicopters for his wedding to fiancee Aysha, who travelled to the venue in a motorcade of motorbikes and luxury cars worth $50 million.

He's not the only property developer on the council - Auburn mayor Ronney Oueik is as well.

Auburn councillor George Campbell is pushing for the NSW government to stop developers being involved in council decisions they could potentially benefit from.

A spokeswoman for Mr Toole said a government representative observed Wednesday's council meeting.

"All provisions of the Local Government Act regarding pecuniary interests are currently being reviewed," the spokeswoman said.

Under current laws, councillors can vote on issues such as increasing building heights.

Councillor Irene Simms said buildings in Lidcombe have "gone from six-storey to more than 14 (storeys) now in a matter of a couple of years."

She also said his paltry fine for the extravagant wedding was more like a "tap on the finger" than a slap on the wrist, and was going down "like a ton of bricks" with many residents.

Police investigations into the road closures are continuing.


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Source: AAP


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Flashy groom's $220 fine angers residents | SBS News