$78k spending on zipline brochure ‘a waste of public money’

Brisbane’s LNP council administration has come under fire for spending a massive sum of ratepayers’ money on a glossy brochure spruiking its controversial Mt Coot-tha zipline.

BRISBANE’S LNP council administration has come under fire for spending thousands of ratepayer dollars on a glossy brochure spruiking its controversial Mt Coot-tha zipline.

The Courier-Mail can reveal Brisbane City Council sent out the flyer to more than 500,000 homes across the city, at a cost of $78,000.

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The Labor opposition has slammed the brochures as a “waste of public money” and has called on incoming lord mayor Adrian Schrinner to put a stop to it.

As well as mentioning the scenic zipline, the brochure also advertises the LNP administration’s plans to build a treetop canopy tour and claims they will take steps to protect local owl and koala populations.

It also features a picture of outgoing Lord Mayor Graham Quirk and a message from him describing it as a “strong plan”.

Labor councillor Steve Griffiths said the money could have been better spent on basic services, such as footpath upgrades.

“This is nothing more than a waste of public money that is not allowed to occur at a state or federal level for the advertising of a politician,” he said.

“I’ve had calls to my office just saying what an incredible waste of money it is.”

A Council spokeswoman defended the spend, insisting it was part of the Lord Mayor’s responsibilities to update the community about projects that affected their day-to-day life.

“All Council-funded communication is governed by a strict policy to ensure no political parties are mentioned or promoted, and the CEO’s office has oversight of this,” she said.

Construction on the new zipline was supposed to begin within months, before residents lodged court action against the project.

It means it will likely be delayed while the matter is before the Planning and Environment Court.

Council will defend the court action.