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

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A bitter dispute over a park bench in a ritzy suburb has forced a local council to spend thousands of dollars to remove it over concerns it was a 'safety' risk. 

Ku-ring-gai Council spent $6,000 to remove the bench on a nature strip on Mariana Close at St Ives, in Sydney's upper north shore, after just two residents opposed it.

The row blew up after one resident installed a Pride-style rainbow-painted bench and street library without council approval in 2021, which was removed after complaints.

But council agreed to allow resident Andy Bloom to pay for and install a traditional bench at the spot on a six-month trial between March and September last year.

Incredibly though, the bench has now sparked a deep rift in the community, despite being supported by six neighbours and opposed by just two.

The seat's location on the nature strip near two roads was said be a safety concern and attracted 'anti-social behaviour', according to the residents who opposed it.

Asbestos tests were even carried out around the area, while deputy mayor Christine Kay said she could not 'morally' support the presence of the bench. 

Council voted to remove it in December after a protracted hour-long debate in chambers and a detailed 11-page report by officials - which recommended it remain.

A council has spent $6000 removing a park bench (pictured) in St Ives, in Sydney's north shore due to safety concerns after two locals opposed it

Council voted to remove the bench in December after a two hour-long debate in chambers

The council decision infuriated Ms Bloom who branded the removal cost a waste of resources and ratepayer money.

She said the bench was only ever intended to be a place for residents to sit and relax, and for parents to watch their children play nearby.

But deputy mayor McKay insisted: 'It has attracted antisocial behaviour and a number of incidents that have been reported by residents.

'Morally I feel the bench should be removed. I have an uneasiness with the safety issues which have been brought to the attention of councillors.

'I can't unsee what has been brought to my attention.'

She added: 'The alleged benefits of the bench are outweighed by the consequences of the bench remaining.

'Unlike its intended purpose of harmony and inclusion, the bench is creating the complete opposite.

'It's creating disunity and division amongst neighbours.'

Her opposition was backed by four other councillors, with another five wanting the bench to remain, but Mayor Sam Ngai used his casting vote to order its removal.

The seat's location on the nature strip near two roads on Sydney's upper north shore was said be a safety concern and attracted 'anti-social behaviour', according to residents opposing it

Complaints about the bench had been made to politicians and even federal MP Paul Fletcher, while police were called to the site following reports of traffic incidents.

The council assessed the concerns of the community for a six month period between March and September. 

A risk assessment study found 'there were no reported incidents such as crashes or anti- social behaviour at this location.'

Council were told a resident complained of four littering incidents during the trial and said that over the last 26 years, there had been 11 traffic incidents at that spot. 

But a council survey of residents found a majority were in favour of keeping the bench, with six voting 'Yes' to keep it, while two voted 'No', and six more did not respond.

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

Councillor Martin Smith argued the bench didn't pose a threat to residents. 

'There's no risk,' he said. 'What message are we sending out to the community?

'That it's ok if you scream loud enough? No matter what's right or wrong, we'll overturn that decision and make sure we get rid of it?'

Chris Houghton, the council's coordinator of parks and recreational assets, recommended the bench be allowed to stay in his report to council.

He said that risk assessment studies had found that new signage was all that was required to minimise any possible dangers created by the bench.

Ku-ring-gai Council's operations director George Bounassif said the bench was originally intended to be somewhere for parents to sit and watch their children play on bikes and scooters.

'The children on the bikes and scooters were there before the bench was installed,' he said.

'It's fair to say that removing the bench would mean the children will still be there on the road playing with scooters and riding their bikes.'

Deputy Mayor Christine Kay (pictured) said the threat to community safety couldn't be ignored

Mayor Sam Ngai (pictured) was among five councillors who voted in favour of removing the bench

Councillor Smith added: 'It's not going to make any difference at all to the children that are already on the road. It will not eradicate that.

'All it's going to do is give the opportunity for a person to sit there and maybe look after their children and quieten them down for the two neighbours that aren't too happy about having children in the street.'

But resident Betty Hall argued the location was never a good spot for the bench to be placed. 

'It should never have gotten to this point because it's come at a huge cost and shouldn't have been allowed to be installed in the first place,' she said. 

'It's not safe and it was never safe.'

The council have now voted to repay Ms Bloom the $3000 cost of installing the bench and paid a further $3000 for its removal. 

The council will consider alternative places for the bench to be relocated during a meeting in March. 

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