Borough set to miss party

“The locals are told that we should spend our money in town, and then you’ve got them spending ratepayers’ money out of the borough.”

SECTIONS of the Queenscliff hospitality industry are questioning why the council Christmas party is being held outside the borough.

A local venue owner, who did not wish to be named, said he’s sick of the “do as I say, not as I do” actions of the council after discovering its end-ofyear celebrations were being held in Barwon Heads.

“The locals are told that we should spend our money in town, and then you’ve got them spending ratepayers’ money out of the borough,” he said. “It’s totally do as I say, not as I do.”

The Borough of Queenscliffe spent much of 2017 working on an Economic Development Plan which aimed to boost the area’s economy.

Members of the community responded with disgust at the council’s “poor judgment” in posts on local news outlet The Rip’s Facebook page.

“Seriously!!???? WHAT is the council thinking? Seems like a case of DO AS WE SAY (i.e. come to Queenscliff) NOT AS WE DO (i.e. bugger off out of Queenscliff for a staff party). Bad, bad, bad decision Queenscliff Council,” one woman commented.

Queenscliffe borough CEO Lenny Jenner said council had sourced quotes from five different venues and had considered price, availability and staff preference for its celebrations.

“Over the past nine years, the staff celebration has been held at a variety of local venues, eight of which have been within the borough,” he said.

“It should be noted that council sources its venue bookings, catering and events throughout the year entirely from businesses within the borough.”

Coincidently, federal MP Sarah Henderson yesterday released a statement encouraging people to shop locally in the lead-up to Christmas.

“Christmas delivers a vital injection of cash and confidence boost for our community, and it is a chance to help our small businesses employ more local people and keep money flowing around our local economy,” she said.

Local business owner Barry Ingles was not concerned by council holding its celebrations in Barwon Heads.

“I think it’s good to share business around,” he said.