Wollongong Council debates $5000 travel cap

A Wollongong councillor has slammed a proposal to restrict travel expenses to $5000 a year but a supporter backed the limit, saying it showed accountability to the public.

Wollongong councillor Janice Kershaw decreed expenses were “offensive” during a drawn out debate over the issue at a council meeting on Monday night.

The Labor councillor took umbrage with a raft of changes to the draft councillor expenses and facilities policy proposed by the NSW Office of Local Government.

Two of Cr Kershaw’s main gripes were the proposed introduction of a $5000 per annum cap on travel expenses — a limit upped from $3000 just hours before the meeting began — as well as section (6.8) encouraging councils not to travel interstate or overseas unless there were “direct and tangible” benefits.

The OLG’s proposal offends Wollongong councillor Janice Kershaw. Picture: Wollongong Council

“I find this whole council expenses policy offensive and judgmental,” Cr Kershaw said in the chamber.

“It’s treating councils with disrespect and makes out we need to put these rules in place so we don’t break them.

“They do these cookie cutter documents to cover every single council. I think the community would be horrified if they knew we had a $5000 limit for travel. We looked at the average over time then we upped it so we won’t go over it.

“I find section 6.8 so offensive. Does that need to be a policy? Don’t they believe that the 13 of us sitting around this table are responsible?’’

Councillor Mithra Cox was the most ardent voice against Cr Kershaw’s amendment, with the Greens councillor arguing spending limits were not a radical concept.

“I think it is entirely reasonable to have a budget,” the Greens councillor said.

“Every professional circumstance I’ve worked in has had a budget.

“I think it is important for the community to see there are limits and not open checks. It’s not insulting, setting out reasonable expectations allows us to set budgets.

“I can’t imagine spending $5000 in a year, it’s quite generous and allows us to do our job.”

Councillor Ann Martin spoke in support of her Labor colleague, with the ward 3 councillor keen to debunk the notion councillors are overpaid career politicians.

“We’re monitored more than someone with a heart pacer,” Cr Martin said – a comment that earned a laugh across the chamber.

“I get $33,000 a year, it costs me more to be a councillor in annual leave and recreational leave because I have a day job. I am happy to do it, it’s an honour and a privilege, but it’s not an easy job, especially when people think we work (as full-time councillors).

“I look at your car, Lord Mayor and ask, ‘Why can’t I have a car like yours?’ But that’s because I am not a lord mayor. I am proud of my Ford Rodeo with a Dapto sticker on it.

“People love to hate their local councillors until they need something.”

Labor councillor David Brown said the proposal was only being made because of a, “a couple of councils in Sydney that went off the rails,” and with the debate moving towards the hour mark, Cr Kershaw concluded by adding, “We have much bigger issues to deal with than this document”.

Cr Kershaw’s motion was passed with all in favour apart from Cr Cox, Cr Dom Figliomeni and Cr Cath Blakey.

The draft policy will now go on public exhibition on council’s website.

In other business …

Won’t somebody please think of the children

Wollongong Council meeting began with Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery citing Gough Whitlam’s 1972 election “It’s Time” slogan before reciting a couple of lines from the Bob Dylan classic The Times They Are A-Changin'.

Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery is pushing for more engagement with the city’s youth.

The odd opening led into Cr Bradbery’s motion for Wollongong Council to explore options to engage young citizens, specifically 12 to 18 year olds, which could result in the establishment of a youth forum or reference committee.

However, the mayoral minute received push back from Cr Martin who felt young people would “run a mile” instead of being involved in youth forums, while Cr Cox wanted to see the council move on projects that would benefit young people that have already been put forward, such as a skatepark in Port Kembla.

The remaining councillors, with the exception of Cr Blakey, supported the mayor’s motion.

We will explore options, such as setting up a youth forum or reference committee, to target engagement with young people & ensure Council’s decision-making is informed by residents aged between 12-18 years. #wccmeetings#councilmeeting

— Wollongong City (@Wollongong_City) February 21, 2022

“We are the ones making these calls,” the mayor said.

“But we are not engaging those who put forward those ideas … it’s always filtered through adults.

“It’s about time we give those 12 to 18 year olds the opportunity to be heard. The future of our youth work depends on this and he we can direct [funds] more appropriately.