Auburn Council referred to ICAC, after Salim Mehajer’s wedding described as ‘the wedding that killed the council’

AN angry Salim Mehajer has hit back at the findings of an inquiry into his former council which focused heavily on his lavish wedding.

Auburn Deputy Mayor Salim Mehajer’s wedding to Aysha Learmonth attracted national media attention. Picture: Toby Zerna

IT’S official.

Former Auburn deputy mayor Salim Mehajer’s 2015 nuptials were “the wedding that killed the council”.

NSW Local Government Minister Gabrielle Upton described the lavish event thus in parliament today, according to Fairfax Media, as she formally referred the western Sydney council to the state’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

“Petty rivalries, unruly and childish behaviour in council meetings and shoddy practices must be banished from our councils forever,” she added.

But Mr Mehajer has hit back telling news.com.au the minister had made an “incorrect statement” and should apologise.

Salim Mehajer arrives at his wedding by helicopter and walks the red carpet to meet his bride. Picture: Toby Zerna

Three public inquiries were held one into each of North Sydney and the former Murray Shire and Auburn City councils, the latter of which Mr Mehajer was deputy mayor of.

Mr Mehajer guided the national spotlight onto his wedding to Aysha Learmonth when he had streets closed to accommodate four helicopters, more than 30 super cars, a jet flyover and more than 100 metres of red carpet.

In the report tabled today it was noted Mr Mehajer’s wedding was somewhat unusual.

“Multiple helicopter landings and partial road closures requiring Traffic Plans are not synonymous with every wedding,” Commissioner Richard Beasley, the author of the report, said.

Council permission to close the street was initially not granted as the wedding was listed as a “public celebration”. However, approval was subsequently given when the reason was altered to state that a “feature film” would be in production that day.

“The wedding did not involve the making of a ‘feature film’ and approval to partially close the street should not have been granted on this basis,” Mr Beasley said.

“Partial road closures requiring Traffic Plans are not synonymous with every wedding,” the report said. Picture: Toby Zerna

A leaflet sent to the street’s residents stating that cars “parked illegally” on the day might be towed away by police was also untrue as there was no threat of towing. Mr Mehajer denied any knowledge of the flyer.

However, Mr Mehajer was cleared of any wrongdoing when it came to the multiple helicopters in attendance. Originally it was said only a single chopper would be involved. In the end, no less than four turned up.

“There was no evidence before the Inquiry that this was not correct; nor was there any evidence that the safety procedures put in place were not sufficient for a four helicopter landing, as distinct from one.”

Minister Upton poured scorn on all three authorities. “For a few — it is about them — instead of what is in the community’s best interests. Petty rivalries, unruly and childish behaviour in council meetings and shoddy practices must be banished from our Councils forever.

“The Government will consider the recommendations in greater detail. I also will provide these reports to the ICAC and other appropriate bodies for their consideration.”

Salim Mehajer wants an apology from Local Government Minister Gabrielle Upton.

In a statement the Minister focused on Auburn saying, “The inquiry found former Deputy Mayor Salim Mehajer may have breached Local Government Act disclosure provisions, over the sale of council owned property to a company associated with him.

“A recommendation was made to review road closing procedures across all councils so residents have the opportunity to understand whether they should lodge objections. This is important because of the unauthorised road closures that occurred for Mr Mehajer’s over-the-top wedding reception.”

But Mr Meheajer told news.com.au he wants the minister to take back the remark.

“Gabrielle Upton has made an incorrect statement as the report does not say that. I did not breach the disclosure provisions nor do the report / findings state that.

“I trust minister Upton will make such correction at the next parliament meeting.

The inquiry found no adverse findings against Mr Mehajer over the decision to sell a council owned car park to the one-time deputy mayor, a property developer.

Before the council’s sacking, several councillors had requested the sale of the site be reassessed after they learnt of a higher property valuation for the car park.

But Mr Beasley said the sale was not unreasonable given it was a difficult site and that a new supermarket, which was part of the plans, had the support of the majority of councillors. Nonetheless, the sale was eventually overturned by Auburn administrator Viv May in February 2016.

The entire council was sacked when the inquiry was announced in January 2016. Shortly after, Auburn municipality was disbanded as part of the NSW government’s local government amalgamations.

It is now divided between an enlarged City of Parramatta and the new Cumberland councils.