Cairns Mayor Amy Eden’s $1.8m question ahead of PNG business trip
A Cairns councillor has questioned Mayor Amy Eden’s attempt to waive millions in developer fees despite arguing that an executive’s business trip to the Pacific was too expensive for ratepayers.
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A Cairns councillor has questioned mayor Amy Eden’s attempt to waive millions in developer fees despite arguing that an executive’s business trip to the Pacific was too expensive for ratepayers.
In a bizarre ordinary meeting, Ms Eden moved an alternative motion requesting that CEO Ken Gouldthorp not travel to Papua New Guinea with her this September to mark 50 years of independence for the Pacific nation.
The cost of the trip to Cairns’ sister city of Lae, in the Morobe province, was unclear, with the council’s economic development director Nick Masasso noting that security would be an additional expense.
“We all know how closely the community is watching how we spend ratepayers’ money and rightly so,” Ms Eden said.
“At a time when households are doing it tough, we need to lead by example, ensuring that every dollar spent delivers public value.”
But councillors voted 7-2 against the motion, arguing that Mr Gouldthorp and the mayor could help build a stronger relationship with the PNG government, in line with the council’s five-year corporate plan.
“This is a different level,” Division 1 councillor Brett Moller said.
“We’re on the world stage, you will be meeting with the deputy prime minister (John Rosso).
“You may meet with the Prime Minister (James Marape) and other ministers. This is a big opportunity to put some additional benefits around a sister city relationship.”
Later in the meeting, the mayor voted for the council to waive $3.7m in charges to PPNQ Developments to build a $140m water park at Kewarra Beach.
Councillors voted 6-3 against the motion, with Division 8 councillor Rhonda Coghlan and deputy mayor Brett Olds voting with Ms Eden.
Following debate in the closed session, the councillors instead voted unanimously to waive $1.9m in fees to the developer — almost $1.8m less than first proposed.
Division 5 councillor Rob Pyne said he was baffled by Ms Eden’s voting at the ordinary meeting.
“I can’t understand why you’d want to give more of ratepayers’ money away when you’ve started the meeting by saying you don’t want the CEO to go to PNG with you because it’s too expensive,” Mr Pyne said on Thursday.
The suggestion to leave the CEO at home was misguided, Mr Pyne said.
“I thought it was silly,” he said.
“If you need advice on the Local Government Act and operational matters, having the CEO by your side is a great resource.
“You’ve got to look beyond the ceremonial aspects and look at how we can engage and network.”
In a statement, Ms Eden defended her voting during the meeting.
“I supported the proposal to waive $3.74m for PPNQ ... because of the significant economic return and industry diversification it will bring to Cairns,” she said.
“My aim was to deliver the strongest possible return on investment for our residents.
“When that motion didn’t pass, I backed the next best option — a reduced waiver of $1.95m — which still delivers significance (sic) economic benefit to our community.
“Throughout these decisions my approached (sic) has remained consistent; to support smart investment while being financially responsible on behalf of ratepayers. That same principle guided my decision on the PNG visit.”
Since replacing Ms Eden’s former campaign adviser and confidante, John Andrejic, last year, the mayor has repeatedly challenged the new CEO behind closed doors.
On Christmas Eve last year, she wrote an email to councillors critical of Mr Gouldthorp’s performance in the role.
But councillors have consistently praised the CEO, lobbying for him to be permanently appointed earlier this year.
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Originally published as Cairns Mayor Amy Eden’s $1.8m question ahead of PNG business trip
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