Cumberland Council questions proposed ‘random’ Somali Week celebration

Festival fatigue might be hitting a western Sydney council which is questioning if a “random” week dedicated to a cultural group that makes up a mere 0.2 per cent of its population is fair on ratepayers.

Cumberland Council is one of the most diverse in the state. Picture: Angelo Velardo

Cumberland’s deputy mayor has unleashed on councillors who have supported a week dedicated to celebrating the Somali community despite 0.2 per cent living in the local government area.

Liberal Michael Zaiter hit out at independent councillor Ahmed Ouf’s proposal to dedicate July 14-20 as Somali Week and allocate $15,000 towards cultural performances and exhibitions.

“It would provide an opportunity to showcase Somali and African music, art cuisine, history, ensuring that future generations continue to appreciate and support the rich cultural heritage,’’ Cr Ouf, who is also a federal candidate for Blaxland, said at this week’s council meeting.

“We are the home to many diverse communities and it’s our duty as a council to ensure that each and every community is seen, heard and valued.’’

He had the support of councillors Sujan Selventhiran and Glenn Elmore but Cr Zaiter delivered a different perspective.

Councillor Ahmed Ouf’s suggestion has copped a barrage of criticism. Picture: Jeremy Piper

“As much as everyone is part of this community, the Somali community is not a significant part of the community – it’s 650 people out of 255,000,’’ he said.

“I’m not against the Somali community, I’m just trying to have an understanding of where do we stop?’’

He was concerned every group would have to be accommodated if they approached the council for similar funding including 848 Thais, 784 Burmese and 779 Polish.

“Where is it going to stop? We only have so many weeks of the year,” he said.

“When do we stop?

“Do five a month at $15,000 a pop. Guess what, it adds up. I’m against it because of that.’’

Cumberland Deputy Mayor Michael Zaiter.

He urged other councillors to be informed and “have a reason before you vote”.

Libertarian Steve Christou slammed the proposal as “excessive” financial wastage and pointed out other ethnicities had greater populations in Cumberland such as Lebanese (11.9 per cent) and Indian (8.7 per cent).

“Where do we draw the line in this council?” he asked.

“Give money here, give money there,” he said. “We celebrate more community events than most other councils.’’

The council this year supported Tamil Heritage Month with a $20,000 contribution and included the Pongal festival at Pendle Hill on January 19.

The Pongal Festival at Pendle Hill in January.

The Tamil community makes up a large portion of Cumberland. Picture: Facebook

There are more than 7700-Tamil speakers in Cumberland.

Labor councillor Diane Colman also questioned the “significance of the debate” into Somali Week and said that community had not specifically requested the week of celebrations.

“I don’t think this has come from the community and I wonder what it’s about, allocating random funds without an actual plan about how that would be budgeted,’’ she said.

As an alternative, she suggested the council could get behind the Somali community’s soccer competition.

Liberal Joseph Rahme feared other groups with larger representation would expect week-long celebrations dedicated to them too.

“We love every community in this local government area but at some point we have to be conscious of the precedent we’re setting,’’ he said.

With Cr Ouf’s acceptance, the council agreed to instead prepare a report investigating the possibility of the council holding a Somali Week with the community.