<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The City of </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/sydney" rel="" target="_blank" title="Sydney"><span>Sydney</span></a><span> council is facing scrutiny after it spent a whopping $19.6 million on the installation and maintenance of planter boxes in the CBD.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The council awarded the lucrative five-year beautification tender to Melbourne-based Citywide Service Solutions, making it one of the city's most expensive projects for the 2024-25 financial year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In a statement shared with 9news.com.au, a City of Sydney spokesperson said the contract includes "supply and management of both the planter boxes and plants, including watering, maintenance and replacement throughout the program".</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/nsw-storms-severe-weather-damaging-winds-large-hail-sydney/527cdd97-b529-44e5-adac-97b7ab338aad" target="_blank"><strong><span>Severe thunderstorms across NSW cause public transport delays</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/melbourne-airport-two-women-charged-after-33-million-illegal-find-in-their-suitcases/a18a655f-f1e9-4d7c-b106-bbd42089043b" target="_blank"><strong><span>Two young women facing life in prison over $33 million find in their suitcases</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Most of the mobile planter boxes have been installed in high-pedestrian areas where natural greenery is not possible, the spokesperson added.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"These colourful floral displays bring beauty and wildlife to parts of the city where traditional in-ground plantings are not possible," a spokesperson said.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/city-of-sydney-council-faces-scrutiny-over-cost-of-expensive-planter-boxes/bda8eebf-a7fe-47df-8857-52f42e7a7dd1" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"These temporary displays are typically installed in parts of the city that are paved, like at Town Hall and Martin Place, and in other areas that are heavily used, such as village squares.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/why-did-she-take-innocent-children-hakyung-lee-sentenced-to-life-imprisonment-for-double-murders/de19fd0f-3465-4fc3-a32b-648778389d45" target="_blank"><strong><span>NZ mum handed life in prison for murdering her children</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The displays are there for people to enjoy during spring and summer months, as well as bespoke displays for several weeks around Christmas, and hanging plants and planters all year round along George Street."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The council said it invests an average of $96 million per year on beautification works, including maintenance of plants and trees.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It has also committed to boost the Sydney CBD's greenery to 40 per cent by 2050.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>However, local Greens councillor Matthew Thompson criticised the cost of the contract and said the money would have been better spent on social services.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Our city is already ridiculously expensive," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Instead of throwing away millions on a beautification program we could expand childcare services, fund local creatives, expand our community support services, make pools free in the summertime, the list goes on.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Just this week at council we had community groups reaching out in desperate need of money to keep their community kitchens going – that's exactly where this money could go."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Thompson said the Greens previously moved to cap the cost of the project at $1 million per year, but that councillors voted against the motion.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Greening our city is not just about what looks good," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's about growing resilient ecosystems through planting permanent pollinator-friendly natives and exotics – not temporary planter boxes that we throw away after one season."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a 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