Northern Beaches Council forks out $45k to train staff for three-day stay at four-star resort

A  NORTHERN Beaches Council training camp has been slammed as “exorbitant” with staffers racking up a $45,000 bill on food and accommodation at the four-star Q Station resort.

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FORTY-one Northern Beaches Council council executives, including more than 30 recently appointed managers, were treated to the multi-million dollar views and tranquillity of the Manly-based national park during a $45,000 training camp.

The move has led the chairman of Labor’s local government caucus committee Greg Warren to question the need for this week’s three-day stay at the resort.

“Money is tight for families across the northern beaches and we are all being told by this government to have tight cost controls. The community has a right to be concerned,” Mr Warren said.

Labor’s local government committee chair Greg Warren suggested the spend was “exorbitant”. Picture

“It appears to be an exorbitant amount of money for a conference that we are unsure as to what it is set to achieve.

“There’s currently three council administration buildings that I presume have appropriate resources for training,” he said.

But council administrator Dick Persson defended the costs, saying here was “no waste in this investment”.

“I have over 20 years’ experience in oversighting the building of new organisations at both state and local government level,” Mr Persson said.

“While I appreciate spending money on off-site management workshops is an easy target, it is my view that the dividends far outweigh the costs.”

Q Station buildings in Sydney Harbour National Park, North Head, where the council hosted its trading sessions.

Some staff stayed in a variety of accommodation including single-bed dwellings and larger, multi-bed rooms.

Single rooms range from $222 to $398 per night, while multi-bed dwellings max out with a three-bedroom cottage at just under $1000 per night, according to the Q-Station’s website.

It is not believed staff dined at the Boilerhouse Restaurant. They had breakfast, lunch and evening meal catered for in a buffet style.

The council was scant on specifics of the training course but confirmed it did not hire an external trainer and instead sessions were run by general manager Mark Ferguson.

Mr Ferguson said the event was part of the $10 million allocated to the council by the State Government to help the transition of three former councils into one.

The beach at the bottom of the Q Station. Picture: Accor.

As a result of the Manly Daily’s investigation, Opposition spokesman for local government Peter Primrose yesterday put a question on notice to Local Government Minister Paul Toole as part of budget estimates.

“We will be taking the minister to task to see what measures are in place to restrict and ensure that this $10 million is used most effectively,” Mr Warren said.

“This is part of what this forced merger process has been about.

“It was rushed through, it is a dog’s breakfast with no clear measures or guidelines to prevent matters of this nature happening.”

A spokeswoman for Mr Toole said the $10 million was made available to cover the costs of creating that new council: “This can be used for things like expert implementation advice, integrating systems and other changes such as new signs and website,” she said.

Mr Ferguson said it was “essential the organisation invest in the leadership skills of our management team and to achieve this we are undertaking a comprehensive training program”.

The view from a balcony at the Q Station. Picture: Accor.

“The program is made up of sessions on team work, facilitating the merger integration program, future service design, change management and leadership development,” Mr Ferguson said.

He said the council had not conducted the training at one of its offices because: “This is a crucial time in the development of the new Northern Beaches Council and staff were taken off site to have uninterrupted training in a venue that facilitates focused learning.”

He said the Q Station was chosen “to support local business and for its accessibility to Northern

Beaches Council offices”.

A Heritage room at the Q Station with French-style doors leading onto a furnished balcony with 2 chairs and a coffee table. Picture: Accor.

“Council is still operating business as usual and all managers and myself are available ensuring service to the community is maintained,” he said.

The stay was defended by former Manly councillor Candy Bingham who said the retreat was “essential”.

“I think anybody in business would know that business development work­shops are essential, part­icularly when you are bringing together such a large group of people who don’t know each other,” Ms Bingham said.

“It is a very effective way to fast track to the process of the merger and getting a clear idea of … what needs to be done.”