SYDNEY COUNCIL SLAMMED
FOR WORKSHOP
SET TO COST RATEPAYERS $10K
A LAVISH resort has been chosen for the first workshop for the 15 new Northern Beaches councillors.
Miramare Gardens, at Terrey Hills, which costs up to $269 a room a night according to booking websites, will also host key planning staff overnight at a cost of $10,000 to ratepayers.
A shot inside Miramare Gardens
Independent councillor Vincent De Luca slammed his peers as “hypocrites” vowing to boycott the overnight stay after being elected on a platform of reducing rates.
“Most candidates promised to address the rate increase and cut wasteful expenditure,” he said. “Whoever supports this is an absolute hypocrite and is breaching the community’s trust. ”
“Most candidates promised to address the rate increase and cut wasteful expenditure,” he said. “Whoever supports this is an absolute hypocrite and is breaching the community’s trust. ”
Independent councillor Vincent De Luc. Picture: Adam Yip/ Manly Daily
He took aim at the council’s staff, who he said did not consult with incoming councillors before booking the accommodation.
Cr De Luca said he would attend the event if there was strategic workshops but would not stay at the resort.
“The days of five-star hotels and snouts in the trough should be over. The public expects better of us,” he said.
Cr De Luca said he would attend the event if there was strategic workshops but would not stay at the resort.
“The days of five-star hotels and snouts in the trough should be over. The public expects better of us,” he said.
Main garden photo at Miramare Gardens. Picture: Adam Yip/ The Manly Daily
“We have three council chambers, in-house caterers, numerous beautiful community centres and surf clubs, all with appropriate facilities and all councillors live locally.
“Why not use these free-of- charge facilities and councillors just travel from their homes instead of wasting thousands of dollars of rate payers’ money?”
Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan defended the workshop.
“Why not use these free-of- charge facilities and councillors just travel from their homes instead of wasting thousands of dollars of rate payers’ money?”
Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan defended the workshop.
He said he had not decided whether or not to stay.
“I have no issues with those who chose to and those who chose not to stay overnight,” he said.
“The councillor workshop with the council’s executive team is a good opportunity for team building with each other and the staff,” he said. “It’s no different to any other private or public company.”
“I have no issues with those who chose to and those who chose not to stay overnight,” he said.
“The councillor workshop with the council’s executive team is a good opportunity for team building with each other and the staff,” he said. “It’s no different to any other private or public company.”
Newly elected Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan and Deputy Mayor Candy Bingham Picture: (AAP Image/Jeremy Piper)
Cr Regan pointed to the benefits of hosting a workshop away from council chambers.
“It is supporting a local business and I think sometimes a neutral venue off-site, with no distractions, is a far more beneficial and more productive environment,” he said.
The resort’s website describes it as “set amongst acres of lush, manicured gardens” with a Hamptons-inspired touch.
Cafe Garden at Miramare Gardens Picture: Adam Yip/ The Manly Daily
“You will feel at ease with modern chic touches and a distinctively breezy, airy relaxed atmosphere the moment you come through the sandstone porte cochere (archway).”
The event would be fully catered with breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as morning and afternoon tea.
The event would be fully catered with breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as morning and afternoon tea.
Rooms in the Penthouse apartment in Miramare Gardens Picture: Adam Yip/ The Manly Daily
Council chief executive officer Mark Ferguson said his staff initiated the workshop.
“It’s an important investment into the future management of the council,” he said. “The cost of not doing this team building could be huge.”
Mr Ferguson said alcohol would not be paid for by the council.
“It’s an important investment into the future management of the council,” he said. “The cost of not doing this team building could be huge.”
Mr Ferguson said alcohol would not be paid for by the council.
Council chief executive officer Mark Ferguson. Picture: Annika Enderborg.
The program, to start at noon next Thursday and finish Friday afternoon, would involve team building.
“It will go through a lot of our operations and delivery planning capital works, transport and parking projects and planning issues,” he said.
Miramare Gardens. Picture: Supplied.
Mr Ferguson said councillors had the option to stay.
“It is a really worthwhile investment of public money to share knowledge and build teamwork with the first ever council,’ he said.
“They need to spend some time together to familiarise themselves with all of the planning and policy issues of the new council.
“It is always best with these events to go off-site to ensure people retain focus specifically on the issues we discuss.”
Attempts were made to contact Miramare Gardens but they did not respond by deadline.
Robbie Patterson, Manly Daily
September 29, 2017
September 29, 2017
Don't forget there was also the $45,000 junket 'Staff Bonding Session' put on by The Northern Beaches Council for a 3 day stay in August 2016. This was only 4 months after the Forced Amalgamations and while the Council was under Administration by Dick Persson.
See Link
https://northernbeachesalliance.weebly.com/northern-beaches-council-junket-cost-ratepayers-45000.html