​Sydney’s biggest multicultural event, Ramadan Nights Lakemba, will welcome more than a million visitors this year and behind the scenes Council Staff and Police will be working overtime to ensure traffic rules and strict hygiene standards are met.

In a Council operation like never seen before, Environmental Health Officers, Parking Officers, Waste Crew and Events Staff will be out in full force to keep the event safe and enjoyable for the community.

Last year, the month-long event attracted around 1.4 million visitors and while the majority of people were courteous and considerate, there were some who ignored the rules. 

Parking Officers issued 3,060 infringement notices for offences including disobeying no stopping signs, double parking, parking across driveways and stopping on footpaths or nature strips.

Motorists weren’t the only ones doing the wrong thing. Council Officers also issued infringement notices to businesses operating without permission, improper food handling and dangerous cooking practices.

Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Bilal El-Hayek said Ramadan Nights is a special celebration for the community and Council will not compromise the safety of those attending. 

“Most attending do the right thing, but we can’t tolerate any business that brazenly wants to cut corners,” Mayor El-Hayek said.

“We saw examples of people barbequing at a petrol station next to fuel bowsers and others barbequing and spreading smoke which impacted on a busy road.

“Let’s all play our part to ensure Ramadan Nights is a safe and fun event.”

Council takes all measures to ensure Ramadan Nights Lakemba is safe and friendly and all food vendors undertake Council-run Safe Food Handling Workshops prior to the event.

Environmental Health Officers will undertake nightly inspections of food stalls and businesses, while Parking Officers will be patrolling surrounding streets.

Council Investigators will also be on-hand to tackle any illegal trading, pollution incidents and dumped rubbish, while waste crews will keep the event clean.

Last year, Council’s Waste Officers removed approximately three truckloads of rubbish each night, totalling 307 tonnes of rubbish across the month-long event.

Council is also offering a free shuttle bus service, brought to you by Western Union, to provide safe and accessible transport to and from the event.

Ramadan Nights Lakemba has been recognised and funded by the NSW Government. 

This event is proudly sponsored by Western Union and SBS and supported by Sydney Water, MySat and Dessert Boxes.
 

About Ramadan

Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year in Islamic culture. During the month of Ramadan, people of Muslim faith fast during daylight hours, from dawn to sunset.  

At the end of each day, Muslims gather for Iftar – the evening meal to break their fast.

About Ramadan Nights Lakemba

Ramadan Nights Lakemba, Sydney’s most popular multicultural event, returns on Saturday 9 March. This spectacular month-long celebration of culture sees Lakemba’s Haldon Street transformed into a vibrant global food bazaar every Thursday-Sunday from 6pm-3am.    

Each evening, there’s an abundance of local food vendors and stall holders. It’s the ideal place for you and your friends to experience foods from around the world, and for many Muslims to break their fast together.