Salim Mehajer’s Auburn council meets to discuss suspension threat

Sydney’s embattled Auburn council is divided ­between a group known as the ‘super six’ and the so-called ‘poor four’.

The lavish wedding of Auburn Deputy Mayor Salim Mehajer and his wife Aysha drew the national spotlight to the western Sydney council.

Sydney’s embattled Auburn council will tonight hold an extraordinary general meeting to ­decide how to respond to NSW government moves to suspend it ahead of a public inquiry into allegations of ­improper dealings.

Following months of reve­lations in The Australian of ­alleged improper dealings at the council, the NSW government last week said it would be suspended within 14 days, ahead of the inquiry, if it failed to “put forward a convincing case” why it should remain in place.

Auburn Deputy Mayor and property developer Salim Mehajer’s August wedding, which included an unapproved road closure, four helicopters, $50 million in luxury cars and a jet flyover, drew the national spotlight to the western Sydney council.

Auburn council is divided ­between a group including Mr ­Mehajer known as the “super six” — several of whom are property developers or real estate agents — and the so-called “poor four”, who have raised concerns over alleged improper developments. Poor-four councillor ­George Campbell has called for the super six to stand aside during the ­inquiry, but said it was likely all councillors would be suspended.

“I will be proposing that only those councillors who have acted as part of the group-of-six voting bloc that has delivered benefits to its members should be subject to suspension,” Mr Campbell told The Australian.

“I believe that those councillors who have worked to bring about this inquiry should be exempted. However, I believe that the suspension of the whole council would be preferable to no suspensions — the status quo cannot be allowed to remain.”

NSW Local Government Minister Paul Toole said he had “serious concerns” over the council’s decision-making processes relating to planning and property ­development.

The inquiry, which will have royal commission-style powers and be led by Richard Beasley SC, will investigate allegations “a number of councillors ... are misusing their position to allegedly obtain significant planning outcomes for themselves, associated companies, relatives and fellow councillors”.

North Sydney Council will also be the subject of a separate NSW government ­inquiry.

As revealed by The Australian, super-six Auburn councillors Ronney Oueik, Mr Mehajer and Hicham Zraika or their families stand to share in a $30 million-plus goldmine on the back of council-approved rezonings.

The Australian also revealed development companies owned by Mr Mehajer and Mr Oueik have made thousands of dollars of undisclosed payments to the real estate agency of Lee “Lily” Lam — Auburn’s Mayor.

Tonight’s meet­ing will also discuss Auburn Council’s plans to amalgamate with Canada Bay Council and Burwood Council under the state’s proposals.