Councillor’s pool car replaced with $1000-a-week Merc

LOGAN ratepayers had to fork out more than $1000 a week for a luxury hire car after a councillor’s own citysupplied vehicle was damaged.

Councillor Trevina Schwarz was given a Mercedes-Benz SUV to drive after the car supplied to her by council – a Toyota LandCruiser – was damaged in a carpark on January 20.

The luxury Mercedes-Benz GLE 250 was hired although other cars were available from the council’s own fleet.

Cr Schwarz was one of eight councillors suspended over fraud charges in April. She denies any wrongdoing.

The entire council was sacked the following month.

Documents obtained under the Right to Information Act showed that a council officer had opposed paying for the hire of the luxury vehicle.

A note on the document reads … “This is not approved. I do not have budget for hire vehicles as pool cars should be used instead.”

Ms Schwarz, who was also chair of the council’s Treasury committee and deputy mayor, said she did not ask for a Mercedes-Benz.

“If that request had come across my desk, I would not have supported it,” she said.

“I had no idea it was not a fleet car from the council car pool.

“All I know is someone damaged my council car and that is what the council gave me as a replacement.

“I wouldn’t ask for this and I don’t even like Mercedes – I am an old school car fanatic.”

Budget Car and Truck Rental at Hamilton hired the Mercedes to the council for 12 days from March 6 to 18 with the hire fee coming to $2024.41.

Council has been for comment. approached