Greens representative John Mackenzie says his Newcastle council colleagues' failure to participate in planning workshops in good faith is a "deep shame" and "embarrassing".
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The Newcastle Herald reported on Tuesday that the four members of the Newcastle Independents alliance would boycott a strategic planning workshop at the luxury Anchorage resort in Port Stephens this weekend because it was a waste of ratepayers' money.
Deputy lord mayor Declan Clausen (Labor) labelled the boycott a "cheap PR stunt".
Last year's workshop at Shoal Bay Country Club was marred when someone entered the words "John Church f---wit" in an on-screen display at one of the planning sessions.
Cr Mackenzie said the workshops, which are designed to promote collaboration between councillors and staff, were a "worthy aspiration" which had "failed".
"It is not something that is common among local governments. It relies on the maturity of councillors to set aside political squabbles to work together collaboratively," he said. "But on both occasions these meetings have been marred by mud-slinging, name-calling and point-scoring.
"It's not acceptable behaviour from elected representatives, and it's an embarrassing display."
Cr Mackenzie, who is still considering whether to attend this weekend, said voters expected councillors to work together in the best interests of the city.
"The fact that councillors aren't prepared to participate in these workshops in good faith is a deep shame, because they have real potential to deliver outcomes that are not possible in the adversarial environment of the council chamber."
A council spokesperson said on Monday that the hotel rooms would cost $299 for each of the 13 councillors and six staff attending. The workshop, excluding dinner, would cost another $3200.
Cr Mackenzie said the meeting should have been held in Newcastle and "effort should be made to make it cost-effective for ratepayers".
"But the venue itself is less significant than the genuine participation and goodwill of all councillors. I'm sure all voters would prefer the councillor they voted for in the room representing their interests and advocating passionately on their behalf."
Council chief executive officer Jeremy Bath told Triple M radio on Wednesday that the councillors "won't be beside the pool" but in a conference room.
He said only half the councillors had shown up to a similar planning workshop three years ago when it was held at Newcastle's City Hall.
"You have to take them sufficiently far away from the home environment or otherwise they don't come or they're looking at their watches and they can't wait to go," he said.
"And people can say, 'Oh, that's not good form from our councillors,' but bear in mind they're taking a day of annual leave, because they've all got full-time jobs, so they're taking a day of annual leave on the Friday and they're giving up their Saturday.
"They don't get paid overtime or time in lieu. They are doing this because we see it is the right thing to do.
"So if we do it in Newcastle, we simply don't get the outcome that I need, which is focused, attentive councillors and staff."
The Newcastle Independents quickly called on Mr Bath to "withdraw" his comments and apologise.
"The suggestion by the CEO that councillors are not focused and attentive unless they are at a luxury resort is sheer nonsense and an insult," they said on their Facebook page.