Council welcomes pay rise

By Casey Neill
LOCAL councils and ratepayers have welcomed a 30 per cent pay rise for councillors.
Knox Ratepayers Association (KRA) president Peter Baird said despite their criticism of the council, members recognised that councillors carried a substantial burden.
“If they are prepared to take on the massive amount of work which is required, the community should be prepared to provide reasonable compensation for their time and efforts,” he said.
“If paying more money attracts the best possible candidates to manage our community, it will be money well spent.”
Local Government Minister Richard Wynne announced the new councillor package on 10 April.
It includes a 30.46 per cent increase in allowances, a guaranteed 9 per cent superannuation contribution, a mobile phone and personal computer and reimbursement for travel and childcare.
“Local councils are a distinct and essential tier of government and local communities deserve good local government representation,” Mr Wynne said.
“It is important that we continue to attract the best quality candidates to stand for local government.”
The package will take effect after local council elections on November 29.
Shire of Yarra Ranges councillor Samantha Dunn welcomed the changes.
“Councillors put in a huge amount of hours,” she said.
“It’s nice to get a bit more money towards the household income.”
Shire spokesman James Martin said the increase in dollar terms was ‘very small’ and would have no impact on ratepayers.
He said the wage increases for Shire councillors would total $62,000.
“In the scheme of a $120 million annual operating budget it is fairly miniscule,” he said.
Knox Council chief executive Graeme Emonson said any wage increases would be decided after a community consultation process.
“Councillors will decide early next year whether or not to increase their allowances,” he said.
Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) president Dick Gross said the pay rises were ‘long overdue’.
“The reality is that attracting high quality candidates means not discouraging certain groups from participating due to financial concerns,” he said.
But Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) acting president Janet Rice said current councillors and potential candidates would be ‘disappointed’ that the changes were not as significant as expected. “We continue to be concerned that less and less people will be willing to stand as candidates once they become aware of the likely financial and social impacts on them and their loved ones.”
The Local Government (Councillor Remuneration Review) Panel Report was released on 25 January and recommended new allowance and support packages.
After the next local government election, councillors will receive between $9800 and $23,500 a year, while a mayor could be paid up to $75,000 annually.
It was the first review of councillor remuneration and support since 2000.