THE Mayor’s office has racked up more than $17,000 in ratepayer-funded overseas travel costs in the past year.
Mayor Teresa Harding travelled to Nerima, Japan; Singapore; Manchester, UK and Paris, France; as part of the Sister City Delegation to Nerima and Council of Mayors (SEQ) International Delegation 2025 Singapore and Europe Mission.
The travel costs claimed by Cr Harding amounted to $3616.58, as her much of her travel costs were funded by the Council of Mayors.
However, the Mayor’s Chief-of-Staff accompanied the Mayor on all four trips at a total cost of $13,973.35 to ratepayers.
Division 3 Councillor Marnie Doyle joined the Mayor and her Chief-of-Staff as part of the Sister City Delegation to Nerima, Japan, and claimed $5301.87.
The travel expenses were detailed in the Council’s Annual Report handed down last week.
Cr Harding had previously turned down overseas travel opportunities after criticising the Pisasale Administration for extravagant travel expenses during planning for the Ipswich Mall redevelopment.
During the December 12 meeting of Council last year, Councillors unanimously approved the delegations, with Cr Harding telling the Council the trip would cost “about $3000 per participant”, that the Mayor’s COS would also travel to support the Mayor on both trips, and called for Deputy Mayor
Nicole Jonic to also be included in the delegation to Nerima.
Cr Jonic declined the invitation citing prior personal engagements.
The estimated cost for travel and airfares to Nerima was outlined in the meeting as $4900 for an additional councillor to attend.
An Ipswich City Council spokesman said the Council of Mayors Singapore and Europe Mission was an important opportunity to investigate how world cities leverage major events and manage the challenges of population growth, such as transport connectivity, waste management and disaster resilience.
“Council resolved to use this as a cost-effective opportunity to also mark the 30th anniversary of our sister-city arrangement with Nerima City, Japan.
“The Nerima City visit reciprocated two recent visits from Ipswich’s sister city, reinforcing this valuable relationship,” the spokesman said.
“The Nerima City visit fostered positive and lasting ties with our sister-city.
“The learnings from the Council of Mayors (SEQ) delegation focused on how cities such as Singapore, Manchester and Paris have secured significant legacies from major global events.”
