NewsBite

Advertisement

This was published 9 years ago

Four helicopters and cavalcade of sports cars upset neighbours as Auburn deputy mayor Salim Mehajer weds

By Tim Barlass and Georgina Mitchell
Updated

The proud groom called it "AUSTRALIAS BEST WEDDING" on social media, but Lidcombe residents were less impressed.

Auburn deputy mayor Salim Mehajer​ married in a lavish ceremony on Saturday which included four helicopters, a fleet of stretch limousines, luxury cars including a Ferrari and several Lamborghinis, a squad of motorbikes and a posse of police.

The opulent celebration began when Mr Mehajer​ arrived in a local park by helicopter with his wedding entourage, stepping onto a freshly rolled red carpet where he was greeted by cameras. He then travelled with a fleet of cars worth $50 million to a home in Frances Street, Lidcombe, where his fiancee was waiting.

Residents were warned in a letterbox drop on Friday night to park on their own properties and to leave the street clear of vehicles. In the letter, titled "Important Notice Attention Frances Street Residence", they were warned that any cars left parked illegally on the road would be "towed and removed by police".

Auburn deputy mayor Salim Mehajer waited for his father Mohamad to be released from jail before marrying his girlfriend.

Auburn deputy mayor Salim Mehajer waited for his father Mohamad to be released from jail before marrying his girlfriend.

But police said they weren't officially involved in the wedding and were only at the street to control traffic and the large crowd.

"We were never told, and as you can see it was out of control," Inspector Chris Laird told media at the scene. "We'll be asking regional command to send the family the bill."

A police spokeswoman told Fairfax Media: "He [the groom] didn't call us. We weren't there to make things easier for him."

Advertisement

At its height, the celebration included performers banging on large drums, a jet flyover and a plane towing a sign announcing the nuptials with a love heart. Security was provided by former NRL footballer John Hopoate.

Salim Mehajer arrived in a park by helicopter.

Salim Mehajer arrived in a park by helicopter.Credit: Channel Nine News

"He must have a bit of money. I wish I had some of that," said Hopoate, who was filming the spectacle on his phone.

The bride and groom and their family and friends celebrated by dancing in the street.

A fleet of stretch limousines, luxury cars including a Ferrari and and several Lamborghinis attend the venue.

A fleet of stretch limousines, luxury cars including a Ferrari and and several Lamborghinis attend the venue.Credit: Channel Nine News

"This is how you do a wedding," the groom told TV cameras.

"Floyd Mayweather, you've got no chance on me motherf---er," he added, referring to the boxing world champion.

A motorcade accompanied the wedding procession through the streets of Auburn.

A motorcade accompanied the wedding procession through the streets of Auburn.Credit: Channel Nine News

The letter distributed before the celebration was sent by "management" and had a mobile phone number to call as an emergency contact. When called by Fairfax Media on Saturday a man answered and said he was a friend of the groom and didn't have time to talk about the wedding because it was still going on.

A resident said he ignored the letter because it wasn't on headed notepaper. "I saw a policeman in the street in the morning and he told me they couldn't block the street without council approval," he said.

Asking not to be named, he added: "They put cones down the road last night. The police said they would send a patrol car up and down to make sure nothing happened.

"I called the council and asked them why they couldn't send out a ranger but they wouldn't answer that. I checked the council website and there is no approval to block the road. The council haven't stepped in to do anything about it."

A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority said to land an aircraft the permission of the landowner was required. It also needed to be safe to land away from power lines, trees and with no risk of people wandering through the landing area, he said.

Auburn councillor Irene Simms said she had been contacted by numerous residents complaining and she said she was preparing an urgent motion for council asking questions about the arrangements for the wedding. Ms Simms said Mr Mehajer​ had been given approval to land a helicopter in the local park.

"I wish him every happiness in his marriage but this is not the way to make friends with your neighbours," Ms Simms said.

Mr Mehajer​ is no stranger to media after hitting the headlines in 2012 after being charged with negligent driving after running down two pedestrians – a mother and a daughter – with his Ferrari 612 Scaglietti in Lidcombe. Mr Mehajerwas acquitted on appeal in 2013.

The happy groom did not seem too put off by any of the complaints.

"To all the haters," he said on social media on Saturday. "Keep hating. I work hard. 100% legit."

Most Viewed in National

Loading

Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/link/follow-20170101-gizrw3