Ratepayers slugged $20k for council meeting to decide whether to bump up rates

Ratepayers in a Sydney municipality are fuming after their local council decided to hold a two-day meeting at a luxury hotel 100 kilometres away, on their dime.

Ku-ring-gai councillors are spending two nights in luxury at the Hydro Majestic Hotel in the Blue Mountains, which is estimated to come with a $20,000 price tag.

It's 100 km from the heartland of the Ku-Ring-Gai municipality in Sydney's Upper North Shore, where just last year there was a storm of protest because the council did the same thing in the NSW Hunter Valley.

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But what makes the junket priceless is the councillors are gathering to make a tough decision on whether they should raise rates.

Former mayor, councillor Cedric Spencer, is the only representative declining the invitation to the Blue Mountains.

"I can tell you what I said to my colleagues, cancel it and don't go," Spencer said.

"Why are we going for retreat before our first council meeting which is in a couple weeks time?

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"I don't think we achieved anything last year for us to be celebrating."

In a statement, Ku-Ring-Gai Council defended its decision to hold the conference.

"This is an important event to bring Councillors together to discuss major issues affecting Ku-ring-gai," a spokesperson said.

"The two day workshop is being held at an external venue so those attending can work together free from distractions and interruptions.

"Many of the Councillors work full time and are taking time off their jobs to attend."

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