Ryde councillors clash over cost of attending local government conference

Ratepayers in Sydney’s north will cover the cost of sending councillors to a local government conference despite criticism the event is a “junket” which should have councillors footing the bill themselves.

Ratepayers in Sydney’s north will cover the cost of sending councillors to a local government conference despite criticism the event is a “junket” which should have councillors footing the bill themselves.

A Ryde Council meeting turned fiery as councillors debated the $1088 per person ticket cost of this year’s Local Government Conference due to be held at Crowne Plaza in the Hunter Valley in October.

The council is due to send six of its 11 councillors as voting members to the event which is attended by councillors from across the state and designed to help them keep up to date on local government issues such as town planning and governance.

On top of the ticket cost, a council report proposed to cover the accommodation costs, travel expenses and “incidentals” costing $820 for each councillor attending.

There were also optional events councillors could attend, which the council had proposed to cover, including a $99 councillor training session, an $88 women’s association breakfast and a $250 conference dinner.

City of Ryde Councillor Roy Maggio.

Councillor Roy Maggio called for councillors to cover their own expenses and also explore the option of online attendance.

“I haven’t attended a local government conference in many years and I’ve made a conviction not to attend any in the future because there’s no benefit for the community,” he said.

Ryde councillor Penny Pedersen.

“It’s at the Crowne Plaza in the Hunter Valley and I’m sure all the councillors will have a wonderful time but ratepayers shouldn’t have to pay for it.

“If councillors want to go to them then fine, but they should pay for their own expenses and registration and drive themselves there and back.”

Councillor Sophie Lara-Watson also questioned the benefits of the conference – describing the “general running of it as a junket.”

A program for this year’s conference shows the event will include trade exhibitions, networking events, and workshops.

Ryde councillor Bernard Purcell.

Up to 464 councillors from across NSW will be eligible to attend and vote on motions put forward by each council.

Proposal motions put forward by councils to date include a Hornsby Council motion to lobby the state government to introduce cat containment requirements to keep cats secured at home.

Councillor Penny Pedersen said the conference was a valuable learning tool and that the proposal for councillors to cover their costs was “nasty, very pointed and not required”.

“I do take offence to the comment describing the event as a junket. Many councillors do actually read the business papers and listen to debate and treat the conference as a professional development opportunity and to meet councillors from different areas,” she said.

The matter was debated at a Ryde Council meeting.

“It’s the peak body of our sector and it’s incredibly important we do have a vote there.

“It should be treated as professional development, if you take local government seriously that is.”

Councillor Bernard Purcell was also critical of shifting the ticket cost to councillors.

“I think it’s strange that we’re playing around with things we’ve always done a certain way,” he said.

Councillors ultimately voted 8-4 for the City of Ryde to only cover the registration cost only for nominated councillors attending.

Cr Maggio said he was disappointed by the outcome.

“Especially during these times when inflation is going up, interest rates are going up and people are doing it tough, it’s not a good look and not the right thing to do,” he said.