Penrith Council has expressed outrage over plans to send staff on an all-expenses paid European ‘study tour’ which will cost ratepayers $40,000 per person.
The move by Penrith Council to fund overseas trips has sparked criticism
A local council has sparked outrage over plans to send staff on a European ‘study tour’ that will cost taxpayers up to $40,000 per person.
Penrith Council, in western Sydney, will on Monday night approve plans to send several staff members on a 13-day tour through Europe at the end of August.
Mayor Tricia Hitchen, Deputy Mayor Todd Carney are among the group that may fly overseas.
The trip, known as the ‘Unlocking the Aerotropolis International Study Tour’, has been condemned by an anonymous Penrith Council source, The Daily Telegraph reports.
Sources claim the move is out of touch with ratepayers ‘struggling to make ends meet’ amid a cost-of-living crisis crippling Australia.
Penrith Council Mayor Tricia Hitchen (right) and Deputy Mayor Todd Carney (left) are among council members flagged off to embark on a European ‘study tour’ funded by ratepayer money.
Council representatives are expected to visit Paris as part of the tour
In the document to councillors, council representatives said a 10-13 day tour was suggested ‘focusing on first-hand experience and observation of the second international airport, associated connecting rail infrastructure, surrounding towns and cities with a mix of industries and residential density’.
‘The visit will provide further opportunities to build relationships with both foreign networks and councils,’ said council officials.
‘An itinerary has yet to be determined based on the ability to secure suitable connections, but will include visits to Amsterdam, the UK and Paris.’
It is expected that the proposed study tour will cost $25,000-$40,000 per person.
Local Jarrod Bacich said it was ‘unfair’ that councilors and staff were planning taxpayer-funded trips to Europe while locals were facing tough times.
‘We are in a crisis of living conditions, it is completely unfair,’ he said.
‘I’m trying to save up to go to Europe, you’re not asking me to pay for it for Penrith.’
Locals in western Sydney have slammed the tour plans, saying funds could be spent on helping people in times of crisis.
Another local, Sarah Phillips, said the council could instead spend the money on improving local infrastructure and services.
“I don’t see merit in using our money for a study tour,” he said.
‘Why is our money being used?’
The itinerary includes plans for agro-technology, agro-logistics and agro-science business trips to Schiphol, Amsterdam.
Council representatives are expected to visit ‘Arrondissement 13, a local government subdivision in Paris’ to see ‘a living example of urban planning updates to include more density that supports a range of housing options’.
In the UK, councilors and staff will visit Gatwick to see ‘examples of regional development around the airport’.
Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchen told Daily Mail Australia she had heard ‘community views on the current study tour proposal given the current economic climate’.
‘Even though the matter has already been listed on the agenda of tonight’s general meeting, I will not be in favor of going ahead with the study tour,’ he said.
‘I have spoken to many of my fellow councilors who will not support the tour process.’