A councillor has hit back at outrage over her bold proposal to use ratepayers’ money to fund drag queen entertainment in her ritzy suburb.

Katie Little, the daughter of late entertainer Jeannie Little, hopes to ‘jazz up’ the Lane Cove community on Sydney‘s lower north shore during Pride Month next June.

The Labor councillor has proposed a $5,000 one-off community grant program to support local hospitality venues in hosting drag shows and other LGBTQIA+ entertainment.

Lane Cove prides itself on being cosmopolitan and culturally diverse, but currently has no dedicated queer venues.

‘Far from frivolous, this motion aims to boost local business and align with the council’s social inclusion strategy,’ Councillor Little’s motion states.

‘If passed, this motion will not only celebrate Lane Cove’s commitment to inclusion and diversity but also boost the local economy, strengthen community bonds, and remind everyone — whether in sequins or sneakers — that Lane Cove is the place to visit where everyone belongs.’

The proposal is expected to divide councillors when they vote on the motion on Thursday night.

Independent and former mayor Scott Bennison slammed the idea as a total misuse of ratepayers’ money, adding the Lane Cove community ‘aren’t interested’.

The $5,000 would come out of an existing grant program that supports non-profit groups.

‘The money is designed for non-profit groups that actually help the community in need,’ Bennison told 2GB host Ben Fordham on Thursday.

‘I’ve spoken to some local businesses and people. They’re not interested in their rates  funding profitable organisations for these types of events.

‘If they want to hold them, they should fund it themselves.’

Bennison doesn’t believe the council should be diverting funds away from those in need during a cost-of-living crisis.

‘Councillor Little wants to bring Kings Cross to Lane Cove. We’re not Kings Cross, and we don’t have that sort of entertainment,’ he said.

Little embraced the public furore her motion has caused and insists there’s community support.

‘It would put Lane Cove on the map as a culturally diverse community, instead of people having to travel to Kings Cross, Darlinghurst or Marrickville to enjoy queer entertainment,’ she told Daily Mail.

‘People are screaming out for some fun in this day and age.’

The first-time councillor hit back at claims that the grant would be a misuse of ratepayers’ money.

‘It would kill two birds with one stone,’ she said.

‘It doesn’t take away from existing council funds or programs and wouldn’t cost any additional money.

‘At same time, it would give local hospitality businesses a boost during a financially difficult time of the year.’

Aussies online were divided over the proposal.

‘Here’s a great idea, spend the money on the roads,’ one commented.

Another added: ‘This is people’s hard earned dollars. In a country where roads and security are rapidly declining, I‘d be ropeable. However Sydneysiders are all rich and peculiar so I guess it makes sense to them.’

A third wrote: ‘It’s not the council’s money to spend on their own personal fetishes.’