Background

Originally inhabited by the Dharug people, Lakemba was initially colonially named Potato Hill because of the crops grown there. Land grants by the colonial government began in Lakemba about 1810. The suburb was known as Belmore South until 1910.

Benjamin Taylor had a 22 hectare property in the 1880s. He named his property "Lakeba" (pronounced Lakemba) after Lakeba Island in Fiji, where his second wife's grandparents had been missionaries. The railway line was built to the neighbouring suburb of Belmore in 1895 and extended to Lakemba and beyond, in 1909. The station was built on Benjamin Taylor's property and was named after his ‘Lakemba Cottage’.

Belmore School opened in April 1869 and became known as Belmore South in September 1907 until it was changed to Lakemba Public School in July 1969. The post office opened on 1 July 1920.  By the mid-twentieth century, the suburb had absorbed large numbers of Greek and Italian arrivals. From the mid-1970s, Lakemba became very popular with migrants from Lebanon and by the mid-1990s the area was considered a centre of Lebanese Australian life. The founding of the Lakemba Mosque and the establishment of specialised restaurants, take-away shops, grocery shops, clothing and book sellers has encouraged a general perception of Lakemba as a predominantly Arab and Muslim suburb, particularly in the media. In recent times Lakemba has seen a large increase of people with Bangladeshi ancestry. The area has eight schools and at least ten places of worship.

Lakemba has been mentioned heavily in news reports in regards to its affordability compared to the Sydney market, being relatively close to the city. The area was the best performing suburb over the last 10 years with further growth expected with the construction of the South West Metro rail link reducing city travel times. Additionally Lakemba receives media coverage as one of the last areas of Sydney where it is cheaper to buy than rent.