Council excursion findings unveiled

RATEPAYERS have forked out $19,696 for Geelong Council’s 18-day trip to Europe and Malaysia in June.

Geelong Council will today receive a report on the Mayor’s excursion, which included attending the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) annual general meeting in Poland, a study tour to Scotland and Italy, visiting waste-to-energy plants, and Malaysian meetings with AirAsia.

Mayor Bruce Harwood, pictured, was accompanied by a council officer in Europe, and by the council’s new chief executive in Malaysia.

The report into the trip, to be received by council at Tuesday night’s meeting, revealed the $19,696 price tag, exceeding council’s claims the trip would cost $18,000. The report will also include findings from the trip.

“Attendance at the UCCN AGM supported the objectives of the trip, namely to fulfil one of Geelong’s obligations as a designated city,” the report noted. “The trip was successful in creating contacts with like cities, understanding how the network works, sharing Geelong’s story and projects on the international stage, learning from others in the network, understanding the structures and resources other cities deploy to support their designation, and to bring back to Geelong examples of projects being delivered around the world.”

Cr Harwood last week would not rule out another ratepayer-funded international jaunt to attend the next UNESCO Creative Cities Annual General Meeting.

“I think the next AGM is a similar time next year. Does Geelong need to go? I don’t know. Should we go? I don’t know,” Cr Harwood said. “The future discussions will take care of themselves.”