Councillor Amy Johnson brought the notice of recission after changing her mind on the vote from April. 

It was not supported, but Mayor Des Hudson reaffirmed his commitment to fly economy class. 

Cr Johnson said she recognised it was a change of heart but the public outcry and cost estimate led her to reassess her vote. 

“I’m aware I supported this when it came to council initially,” she said. 

“But as my dad said a wise man can change his mind, it’s only a fool that does not.” 

Interim CEO Frank Dixon apologised to councillors for not providing the cost of the trip to councillors before they voted on April 13. 

It had been estimated the trip would cost $55,000, for Mayor Des Hudson, Councillor Samantha McIntosh and a senior officer to attend the conference in Austria. 

It is now understood the trio will fly economy class, which would be a saving of thousands of dollars. 

Cr Hudson said it was clear they had lost the battle for public opinion. 

“I keep hearing that this is seen as a holiday, a junket,” he said. 

“It is to bring tourism back to Ballarat, to fill up restaurants, our hotels.” 

“It’s about selling the decisions that we make.” 

Cr Hudson and the senior officer will also visit Finland after an MoU was signed a few months ago over waste treatment technology coming to the Ballarat West Employment Zone.