Toowoomba council split on ratepayer-funded trip to sister city of Whanganui in New Zealand for mayor, two councillors and officer

Three elected officials and a council officer will be heading to New Zealand at the end of the year, on a trip that could cost potentially ratepayers up to $11,000.

Councillor Megan O'Hara Sullivan. Photo Bev Lacey

A planned $11,000 ratepayer-funded trip this year to Toowoomba’s sister city in New Zealand has split the councillors, with one labelling the delegation size as “excessive”.

Councillors voted 6-3 at Wednesday’s committee meetings to approve Mayor Paul Antonio, Councillors Carol Taylor and Melissa Taylor and an officer to visit Whanganui in November.

The four-day delegation would coincide with the 40th anniversary of the sister city relationship, with the officer’s report indicating it could coincide with a trade mission by Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise to New Zealand.

The proposed itinerary includes gallery and opera house tours, visits to businesses of interest and agribusiness networking events, as well as a possible scenic flight as part of a trip to the New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy.

The report estimates economy flights and accommodation for four people would cost roughly $2800 each, noting it would cost an extra $1000 per person to move them to business class.

Carol Taylor, who has taken part in council delegations to New Zealand in the past at her own expense, indicated she might do so again.

Deputy mayor Geoff McDonald said the visit was a good opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the two cities.

“We have a 40-year relationship with Whanganui, there’s been three years of discussions with our council and theirs to keep that going,” he said.

“I believe it’s worth having and there are synergies between organisations that have been realised through that.”

“It’s well worth this investment for about a three or four day absence from duties in Toowoomba and carrying out those duties in our sister city.”

But Councillor Megan O’Hara Sullivan said sending two councillors with the mayor was not a good use of ratepayer money, while also remarking how she has been treated in the past for opposing overseas trips.

“I don’t think anyone would be surprised that I can’t vote for this, not because I’m parochial and have a narrow outlook as I’ve been accused of before when I’ve spoken against these overseas trips,” she said.

“I always feel like such a pariah because I’m made to feel that I haven’t got a worldly outlook.

“I understand the initiative, I understand having a sister city, I understand TSBE and you (Mayor Antonio) going.

“But there’s been nothing said today that can justify in a resource-stretched world of this council that we can have two councillors going as well.”

Ms O’Hara Sullivan said her view was support by many Toowoomba region residents.

“I know I speak for a large proportion of our community who thinks this is excessive and is ceremonial at best and excessive at worst.”

Councillors James O’Shea and Rebecca Vonhoff also voted against the trip.

A significant delay was noted after Mr McDonald moved the motion initially, with no councillors putting their hand up to second it.

Mr Antonio eventually volunteered after receiving no hands from his colleagues.