Council funding for diverse projects raises eyebrows

FROM giving elderly residents free rickshaw rides to workshops on making reusable menstruation pads, councils are splashing ratepayer cash on unusual projects.

FROM giving elderly residents free rickshaw rides to workshops on making ­reusable menstruation pads, councils across Sydney are splashing ratepayer cash on a variety of unusual projects.

And it has sparked debate over the millions that councils dish out every year to community groups — particularly as Green and Labor-controlled councils often pick “questionable” requests.

The City of Sydney recently gave $8500 to take elderly residents on trishaw (cycle rickshaw) rides through the eastern suburbs.

A trishaw — a cycle rickshaw — makes its way down a Sydney street.

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Liberal councillor Christine Forster said “questionable grants ... have needlessly diverted funds from worthwhile projects”.

Inner West Council knocked back projects to ­recycle nappies and dog poo.

However, it recommended ratepayers fork out $2190 to teach residents how to make reusable menstrual pads.

Liberal councillor Julie Passas. Picture: Christian Gilles

Liberal councillor Christine Forster. Picture: Toby Zerna

Liberal councillor Julie Passas, who will be voting against the recommendation at the November 6 council meeting, said “we have lost the plot”.

The council said “Padding Out” addressed the selection criteria “more comprehens­ively than competing projects”.