The mayor of Penrith Council has reportedly withdrawn her support for an overseas study trip for councillors and staff, prior to it going to a council vote tonight.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that a community backlash led to the Mayor, Tricia Hitchen, issuing a statement today announcing she would not support the trip, along with a number of her councillor colleagues.
The proposed itinerary would have seen the Mayor, deputy mayor and council staff visit London, Paris and Amsterdam as part of the Aerotropolis International Study Tour.
An inside source at the council ridiculed the plan to the Daily Telegraph on the weekend, saying a “business class excursion” is not appropriate at a time when residents are struggling to make ends meet.
The article suggested the trip will cost up to $40,000 per participant.
Current councillor and Member for Penrith, Karen McKeown told the Sydney Morning Herald that the trip was “probably not the wisest move.”
It now appears unlikely that the trip will get council approval at tonight’s meeting.