Warringah mayor Michael Regan’s Jaguar is part of the $1.7 million spent by the council on staff cars in the past financial year.
Alicia Wood Political Reporter, The Sunday Telegraph March 15, 2014
THIS is the luxury car critics claim is helping push up council rates. The Jaguar XF driven by Warringah mayor Michael Regan is part of the $1.7 million spent by the council on staff cars in the past financial year.
The council’s 123-strong car fleet also includes a Mercedes CLK, an Audi A3, three Volkswagens, a Jeep and a Honda Accord.
But while some staff are gadding around in flash cars, ratepayers are footing the bill, with the council applying for a 24 per cent rate rise over the next four years.
The Jag is the latest vehicle in a string of upgrades for Mr Regan since he was elected in 2008, moving from a Chrysler 300c in 2008 to a Nissan Murano in 2009 and a VW Passat in 2010.
Mr Regan justified the second-hand Jag, which cost between $60,000 and $65,000, saying it represented the best value for its size, its low depreciation rate and that it ran on biodiesel.
“I spend many hours a day in the car between community events and meetings, and ferry around many passengers like fellow Councillors,” he said.
“It’s important we proactively manage our fleet to ensure competitive pricing, best value, low maintenance-running costs, high resale, high safety standards and low CO2 emissions.”.
Mr Regan said he paid a monthly $500 contribution towards the car and that the council’s expenditure on cars was not excessive.
“We retain our vehicles longer too (typically 40,000km to 60,000km) and around [two] years from purchase to ensure we maximise resale and keep costs low in our fleet.”
But fellow councillor Vincent De Luca, who questioned the executive about the cost of the mayoral car, said he was “disgusted” by how much was spent on cars.
“Council and Mayor Regan are pushing for a 24 per cent increase in rates while they are wasting ratepayers money on boy’s toys and expenditure that is clearly not in the public interest,” Mr De Luca said.
By comparison, Fairfield mayor Frank Carbone sold his mayoral vehicle when elected and used the money to fund a free commuter bus services. He drives a car he bought himself.
“There is a lot of talk about local government being self sufficient — there is an expectation that when you become mayor, you sacrifice your time and efforts to make your community better,” he said.
“As mayors we are not rock stars that need to be pampered with playboy toys.”
Woollahra Council has no fleet vehicles and mayor Toni Zeltzer takes taxis, gets a lift or drives to local events.
Gareth Ward, chairman of a NSW Parliamentary inquiry into Local Government, said the government could consider tougher guidelines for mayoral car purchases.
Warringah Council was one of 12 councils that applied to the pricing regulator to raise rates beyond the recommended 3 per cent, asking to raise rates 24 per cent over the next four years. With the average rates paid by households in Warringah at $1138 a year, that would represent a $70 rise this year.
Warringah Mayor Michael Regan with his Jaguar XF