This business is a front for an illegal hostel business, detailed in an ABC 7:30 report and a Telegraph newspaper report, both from July, 2014.
Both the Banana Supermarket and the absurdly-named "Oh LaLa Restaurant" are operated by a Mr. Amr Hassan to launder the cash rent payments he reaps from backpackers and others paying approximately $150 per week for single bunk beds.
The ABC 7:30 Report showed one of his former apartment managers detailing as many as 16 such "tenants" per apartment, while the Telegraph's Taylor Auerbach reported staying in a single room apartment in which 14 persons were living.
Sydney city Council is well aware of Mr. Hassan's activities, as the Health and Building Manager for the Central area, Mr. Andrew McMillan, can attest. The Council has also pressed assault charges against one of Mr. Hassan's known associates, one Danny Masoud, over an attack on a Council inspector.
Under no circumstances should the Council consider accommodating any of Mr. Hassan's planning applications, as these, if approved, would simply provide cover for his repellent and anti-social activities.
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