Why this ordinary park bench has sparked a bitter war between neighbours in an affluent suburb

A bitter dispute over a bench in an upmarket suburb has forced a council to spend thousands of dollars to remove the bench over fears it would pose a ‘safety risk’.

Ku-ring-gai Council spent $6,000 to remove the bench which was built on a nature strip on Mariana Close near St Ives, on Sydney’s north shore.

Local Andy Bloom campaigned for it to be installed in 2021 so parents could sit and watch their children play, but the bench has caused division in the community.

The seat was placed on a nature strip near two roads, raising concerns about the safety of residents.

Others claimed the seat was built without council approval and enabled ‘anti-social behaviour’.

Some carried out asbestos testing in the area, while Deputy Mayor Christine Kay bizarrely declared that she could not ‘morally’ support the bank’s presence.

Council voted to remove it in December because high removal costs angered Ms Bloom, who called it a waste of “significant resources and taxpayer dollars.”

“The bench was always only intended as a seat for residents and for parents to watch their children,” she says The Daily Telegraph.

Complaints were made to politicians and even Federal MP Paul Fletcher, while police were called to the site after reports of traffic incidents.

The council reviewed community concerns over a six-month period between March and September.

The survey found that a majority were in favor of keeping the bank, with six voting ‘Yes’ to keep it, while two voted ‘No’.

The Council also carried out several traffic and safety assessments, while a private consultant was hired to carry out a risk assessment.

The council approved a majority vote to remove the bench after a fiery two-hour meeting in December.

Five council members, including Mayor Sam Ngai, voted in favor of its removal.

Speaking at the meeting, Ms Kay said residents’ safety must be a priority.

“Morally, I think the bench should be removed,” she said.

“I am uncomfortable with the safety issues that have been brought to the attention of council members.

Deputy Mayor Christine Kay (pictured) said the threat to community safety could not be ignored

Mayor Sam Ngai (pictured) was one of five councilors who voted in favor of removing the bench

“I cannot ignore what has been brought to my attention… all councilors have been made aware of these issues.”

Councilor Martin Smith argued the bank posed no threat to residents.

“There’s no risk,” he said.

“What message are we sending to the community… that’s okay if you shout loud enough… whatever is right or wrong… we will reverse that decision and make sure we get rid of it.”

Resident Betty Hall argued that the location was never a good place to put the bench.

“It should never have gotten to this point because there are huge costs involved and it should not have been installed in the first place,” she said.

“It’s not safe and it’s never been safe.”

Mrs. Bloom spent $3,000 to build the original rainbow bench on the nature strip.

Ku-ring-gai council operations director George Bounassif said Ms Bloom would be fully reimbursed.

During a meeting in March, the council will consider alternative locations for relocating the bank.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Ku-ring-gai Council for comment.