Visit to Chinese sister city an investment in future

The delegation includes Mayor Troy Pickard, chief executive Garry Hunt and councillors Philippa Taylor, Kerry Hollywood, Russ Fishwick and Christine Hamilton-Prime travelling from August 26 to September 4.

The visit was also to discuss opportunities for further exchanges for the mutual benefit of both cities in areas such as economic development, innovation, health, tourism and education.

On the way to Jinan, the delegation had two days in Shanghai to visit the Australian Trade Commission to promote and distribute the City's investment attraction prospectus to advance economic development opportunities.

At its June meeting, the council approved "the associated costs for airfares, accommodation and incidental expenses for the mayor, chief executive, chief executive's designated representative(s) and a cultural advisor/interpreter estimated at $27,000 be charged to budget items Jinan sister city relationship and chief executive officer conference and travel".

All councillors' expenses would be charged to the individual's conference and travel allowance budget.

Mayor Troy Pickard said the delegation would send an "important message to the City of Jinan, both its government and people, that we value our sister city relationship and we want to foster it further for the mutual benefit of not only our cities but cultural exchange for our communities given the importance of China to Australia".