A Lebanese festival will be held in Oatlands later in the year to acknowledge the Lebanese community in Parramatta, and if successful the event will be permanently added to Council’s event schedule.
However, the upcoming event sparked a fiery debate in Council last week.
A notice of motion was brought to the most recent meeting of Parramatta Council by Liberal Councillor Tanya Raffoul requesting that Council investigate the feasibility of delivering a Lebanese cultural festival in Oatlands in November.
“The city of Parramatta is one of the most culturally rich communities in this country,” Raffoul said.
“Home to more than 110 nationalities from Toongabbie to Epping and from Granville to Winston Hills, we are a city that proudly embraces Australian values, opportunity and unity while celebrating cultures, traditions and histories that shape who we are. The two are not in conflict, in fact, they work well together, each one strengthens the other. That is our identity and that is our strength but I believe that with that identity comes a responsibility.
“I believe that it’s incumbent on us as elected representatives to champion, support and invest in events that bring our community together, events that celebrate culture, music, and tradition.”
Oatlands was chosen as the location for the event due to its strong links to the Lebanese community, where 16.5 per cent of residents have Lebanese heritage.
More specifically within Oatlands, the Bells Road and Fred Robertson Park Precincts have been identified as suitable to host the event.
The festival will be a one-day event with food stalls, market/activation stalls, a cultural stage, DJ stage, food demonstration/classes, roving entertainment and civic acknowledgements recognising Lebanese culture.
There is limited parking available nearby the location however the area is serviced regularly by the Dundas Light Rail, bus services along Kissing Point Road and walking access.
The event is predicted to cost over $100,000 to deliver but will generate $24,000 in income.
“This leaves a net cost to council of $90,000. It is proposed that $60,000 be reallocated from the New Year’s Eve budget following the discontinuation of the drone show, due to the high risk posed by inclement weather,” the Council report said.
“The remaining funding shortfall of $30,000 can be funded from the cancellation of the Balloon Glow component of the Australia Day event due to associated impacts of inclement weather.”
Labor Councillor Anthony Ellard supported the concept of the festival but outlined the need for a different location for the event, suggesting Oatlands Public School as an alternate.
“What my concern with all of this is, is that these streets around the area are not built for this kind of traffic. While I absolutely support the concept of a Lebanese event what my big concern about this is, is that Greens Avenue [and] Tulong Avenue, they’re not built to cope with this,” Ellard said.
Ellard abstained from voting when it came to the final decision.
Further debate over the delivery of the event began with remarks from Councillors Sameer Pandey and Steven Issa and ended with a series of Councillors leaving the room including Councillor Patricia Prociv.
The Notice of Motion was moved with seven votes meaning the street festival will go ahead.
Details will be released soon.
