Mayor Kay Fraser was confirmed as the ICG squad’s “chaperone” at council’s Ordinary Meeting on April 23. According to a Lake Macquarie council spokesperson, the ICG leg of the trip will cost about $7,000.

Cr Fraser will be joined by Deputy Mayor Luke Cubis post-games to undertake investigations into up to 11 ‘smart cities’, which was authorised by councillors 9-3.

Concerns were raised in objection to the planned Smart City tour, with some saying the associated costs were “over the top”.

A spokesperson said council believes the study tour is worthwhile, and will offer a “unique opportunity to see first-hand the various ways leading Smart Cities are using new technology”. It was also stated the 11 cities mentioned at the recent Ordinary Meeting were simply “possible destinations”.

“[The Smart City tour] will allow us to learn from the successes and failures of others as we continue our Smart City transformation,” the spokesperson said. “Costs for the smart city leg of the trip are estimated to cost about $3,000 in airfares, with daily costs of about $350. The overall cost is mitigated by the opportunity to combine the two purposes.”

The council spokesperson also explained sending the mayor to the ICG has been “the practice over the past decade”, since Lake Macquarie’s participation began.

“Council considers it fitting to send a high-level city representative to an international, city-based gathering of this scale,” the council spokesperson said.

Four coaches will also accompany the team to Jerusalem for the ICG: Mavis Godber, Gerrard Keating, Karen Leth and Christina Laurie.

A trivia night at Central Charlestown Leagues Club is set to be held on May 18 in an effort to raise money to cover costs for the travelling ICG representatives. The Games begin July 29.