Just weeks after supporting an increase to rates, Penrith Council is funding a three week trip for three to Asia – with a budget of around $50,000.
From April 25 to May 14, Mayor Karen McKeown and Deputy Mayor Ross Fowler will be flying business class to China, Korea and Japan, alongside one Council officer.
The visit aims to promote Penrith’s capabilities in education and health, demonstrate Penrith as an investment destination and grow tourism here through Chinese, Korean and Japanese visitation.
The trip was supported by every present Councillor at a Council meeting on Monday, February 29, except Councillor Marcus Cornish.
“Nothing ever comes of this. I see this as no benefit to the people of Penrith, not when we’ve put a whopping great rise on rates,” he said.
On February 10, the Weekender reported that Council will apply for a rate rise from July 1, 2016, to add money to the bottom line of Council, and fund future infrastructure projects and services.
A Council spokesperson said rates account for around 40 per cent of Council’s income, and the funds for this trip will come from the Corporate Communications and Marketing budget.
“Council has budgeted $50,000 for this trip covering four airfares, accommodation, internal travel, city gifts, production of marketing collateral for distribution at arranged meetings and interpreter services,” he said.
Western Sydney Institute of TAFE will be joining the trip and covering their own costs, plus Council will be distributing and gathering information on behalf of Western Sydney University and the Nepean Blue Mountains Local District Health.
Councillor Jim Aitken agreed with Councillor Cornish, in that the cost of the trip is too high.
“I hope the trip is going to come in at less than that, but in some ways I can see this as an investment,” he said.
“Every ratepayer has invested in the people that’s on that trip, and I’d like to think when they come back we will get a full transparent report on it.”
Councillor Greg Davies said to argue Council shouldn’t be doing this is to argue Council isn’t interested in business in Penrith.
