Community members and those streaming July 2024 council meeting online were taken aback by eye-watering amounts allocated to maintenance of green spaces.
Mowing contracts awarded add up to $44,000,000 ( million) inclusive of GST but before CPI ( 31 million for open spaces and 13 million for ovals) and if right this moment you are reconsidering your career choices, drafting resignation letter or Googling finance for a ride-on mower I don’t blame you.
However, as a frequent user of said spaces including playgrounds and parks I note that most of them have mulch, flowerbeds, gravel or concrete paths – and very little grass.
As for ovals, we do have a few and all know what they look like between November and March, specifically on 37 degree days – drier than a pommy towel!
Granted, this is a long term contact – perhaps the eye watering pricetag is explained by the fact that grass is lovingly trimmed by hand whilst classical music is being played and positive affirmations are whispered to promote growth?
If you thought 44 million was it, there is also a budget shortfall for for the current year of $2,844,422.41 – as new contractor will commence services in October this year. Ouch!
As a chartered accountant I can assure you that these sort of under provisions, mistakes and variances don’t happen in private sector and if they do then people responsible are held accountable.
To aid the understanding of our landscape to those readers outside of Kingston – we aren’t an idyllic Swiss or Bavarian village with milk maidens frolicking about – here’s a little snippet of our highly developed suburban residential area – we even have own airport and largest industrial estate in Southern Hemisphere right here in Braeside!
As a point of reference, green dots on the map are the green open spaces.
JANE AGIRTAN INDEPENDENT 
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