Councillors defend trips to US and Italy

Alex de Vos
Geelong councillors have defended their overseas travel after approving new trips to the United States and Italy.
Councillors this week voted to send Mayor Bruce Harwood to Kansas next month to participate in a study tour of water treatment facilities.
Councillor John Mitchell will later fly to Italy for the 2008 UCI Road Cycling Championships in Varese.
The combined trips will cost ratepayers more than $13,000.
Residents will also pay about $30,000 for three staff to accompany Cr John Mitchell and one to travel with Cr Harwood.The mayor said his trip was essential to develop strong relationships with “key international contacts” despite admitting he had no expertise in water treatment.
“This tour represents a substantial opportunity for council to learn first-hand from world leaders in their field on ways of further developing our own region,” Cr Harwood said.
“My role is representing the city and, although I’m not qualified in the industry, I’ll be looking at biotechnology opportunities for Geelong.”
Cr Mitchell said his trip would help Geelong prepare for hosting of UCI Road Cycling Championships in 2010.
He said the event would inject millions into Geelong’s economy.
“The event only leaves Europe once every seven years – it’s a massive coup for Geelong,” Cr Mitchell said.
“I’m doing it for my constitutes and, while it’s close to the election, it’s certainly justifiable.”
Cr Stretch Kontelj, who has not travelled this year on the public purse, believed the trips would benefit the City but questioned the timing.
“Cr Harwood’s trip is not a time-critical trip and it would have been better if the trip was planned for next year,” Cr Kontelj said.
“But I can see the reasons why you would go and the knowledge they would retain and pass onto other councillors.”
Before the November election, Geelong councillors will have racked up more than $40,000 in travel expenses.