Penrith Council: Bid to send mayor, councillor, staff on ratepayer funded European tour

Not a single comment was made at Penrith Council on Monday night, despite overwhelming resident backlash, with the Deputy Mayor moving for the study tour to “not proceed”. Latest here.

Penrith mayor Tricia Hitchen, deputy mayor Todd Carney are expected to go on the European study tour. with stops in Paris, London and Amsterdam.

An all-expenses paid business class trip – sending western Sydney councillors and staff on a ‘study tour’ through European cities – has been canned following public backlash over the $40,000 per person cost to ratepayers.

On Sunday the Penrith Press revealed Penrith Council would call for the approval of plans to send Mayor Tricia Hitchen, Deputy Mayor Todd Carney and an unknown number of council staff on a 10 to 13-day jaunt through Europe in August, with travel plans and tours earmarked in London, Paris and Amsterdam.

The European expedition, dubbed the “Unlocking the Aerotropolis International Study Tour”, has been ridiculed by sources at Penrith Council, who say residents were “struggling to make ends meet – and cough up increasing council rates – while representatives plan a business-class excursion”.

A community in Paris, France is also expected to be on the itinerary

However, following the Penrith Press’ coverage, mayor Tricia Hitchens revealed the study tour plans were cancelled.

“I’ve heard our community’s views about the current Study Tour proposal given the current economic climate,” Cr Hitchen said in a statement on Monday.

“While the matter is already listed on the agenda for tonight’s ordinary meeting, I will not be supporting that the Study Tour go ahead.

“I’ve spoken to a number of my councillor colleagues who will also not support the Tour proceeding.”

Not a single comment was made in the chamber of Penrith Council on Monday night, despite overwhelming resident backlash, with Cr Carney moving for the study tour proposed “not proceed”. 

Sources inside council revealed staff and councillors were “bunkered down and in crisis talks following overwhelming public backlash”, sparking last-ditched calls to scrap the European junket just hours before it was to be decided on.

Council representatives, in documents to councillors, said a “ten to thirteen day study tour is suggested with an itinerary focused on first-hand experience and observation of cities that have a second international airport, the associated connecting rail infrastructure, the surrounding cities and industry mix and residential density mix”.

“The tour will provide a further opportunity for relationship building, both with overseas networks and council,” council officers said. “An itinerary is yet to be set based on ability to secure appropriate connections, but would broadly include visits to Amsterdam, United Kingdom and Paris.”

Penrith Council representatives would visit Amsterdam. Photo – istock Escape 19 Feb 2023

NSW Premier Chris Minns criticised the use of public funds, calling on Penrith Council to redirect the money to “more urgent priorities”.

“I can think of literally thousands of things that would be better uses of taxpayer and ratepayer money in NSW,” the Premier said.

“Ratepayer money can be far better used than (for) an overseas trip to Europe, so I would urge them to yank this trip, put the money into a local playground or street or footpath that needs urgent attention.

“People are doing it really tough at the moment right across NSW and the last thing I think the ratepayers and taxpayers of this state want to hear is politicians going to Europe on a study tour.”

Penrith state Labor MP and councillor Karen McKeown said the plan “doesn’t pass the pub test”.

“In this economic climate that we currently have, we need to be fiscally responsible with every dollar that is spent,” she said. “It is ratepayers’ money, we cannot lose sight of, this is public money I just can’t support it.”

The proposed itinerary forecasted tours of agri-tech, agri-logistics and agri-science businesses in Schiphol, Amsterdam. While representatives of council were earmarked to visit the “local government subdivision Arrondissement 13 in Paris” to see the range of housing option on offer.

Meanwhile, in the UK, councillors and staff were also expected to tour Gatwick, to see “examples of regional development around an airport”.

Tours of Heathrow and Manchester were also touted as part of the proposed itinerary.

Penrith resident Jarrod Bacich. Picture: Jake McCallum

Resident Jarrod Bacich said it was “unfair” that councillors and staff were planning ratepayer funded trips to Europe when locals were doing it tough.

“We are in a cost of living crisis, it is completely unfair,” he said. “I am trying to save to go to Europe, you don’t see me asking for Penrith to pay for it.”

While another local, Sarah Phillips, said Penrith Council could spend the funds on improving local infrastructure and services.

“I don’t see merit in our money being used for a study tour,” she said. “Why does it have to be our money being used.”

Penrith resident Sarah Phillips. Picture: Jake McCallum

Western Sydney resident Jen. Picture: Jake McCallum

Another western Sydney resident, Jen, said the council “should organise teleconferences with experts in order to save the funds.”

Council documents revealed the funds would come from Penrith’s International Partnerships program, which was placed “on hold” since the Covid pandemic..

“Funds are available to undertake this delegation within existing International Partnerships program budgets included in Council’s 2023-24 Operational Plan and the International Relationships Reserve,” council representatives said.

A Penrith Council spokeswoman saidit “would be premature to comment on the Unlocking the Aerotropolis International Study Tour before council has had the opportunity to discuss the report at Monday night’s ordinary meeting.”

Local Government NSW was contacted for comment.