Noosa Council workers on strike in Hastings St over wage offer

Some Noosa Council workers say the cost of living and their current pay has forced them to find homes beyond the shire boundaries. TAKE THE POLL.

Australian Workers' Union members marched through Hastings St today, April 3, as part of ongoing industrial action after wage negotiations soured between the Noosa Council and its workers.

Workers have marched through the Noosa glitter strip in a second strike, over a wage offer they say does not keep up with the cost of living in one of Australia’s most prestigious postcodes.

Noosa Council workers are in pursuit of a new enterprise bargaining agreement that provides a 9.5 per cent wage increase in 2025, followed by 4.5 per cent raises in 2026 and 2027.

The council is offering a 13.5 per cent increase over three years, saying the offer is “well above inflation”.

About 70 Australian Workers’ Union members today marched along Hastings St in the second strike, after initial industrial action took place last month.

Noosa Cleanaway waste workers also went on strike last month as their wage negotiations soured.

Australian Workers' Union members marched through Hastings St today, April 3, and onto Noosa Main Beach during a second strike.

AWU organiser Michael Anderson said the union’s members could not afford to live in one of the most prestigious postcodes in the country.

“Their wages are that low compared to neighbouring councils since deamalgamation and they’re just looking to rectify that now,” he said.

Mr Anderson said about 30 per cent of the workers were forced to live outside the shire.

“And there’s a lot more who are making that decision to uproot their families and do the extra commute,” he said.

Noosa Council chief executive Larry Sengstock said the council’s offer was “fair and reasonable”, which aims to tackle cost of living pressures, ensure employment security and was financially responsible.

Mr Sengstock said the council had made submissions to the Industrial Relations Commission and respected the right of employees to take protected industrial action.

“Our offer of 13.5% over three years is well above inflation, coupled with significant wage increases in the previous agreement which is recognition of the efforts of our staff during a challenging economic period,” Mr Sengstock said.

“Apart from a generous wage offer above inflation, we’ve included many of the conditions asked for by the unions in the overall package, including five days health and wellbeing leave among others.”

Mr Sengstock said the council was committed to striking the right balance between staff and Noosa shire ratepayers.

Mr Anderson said “on face value” the council’s offer may seem attractive but the workers were starting “from a low base” and the council’s offer did not maintain parity with neighbouring councils.

He said there was an Industrial Relations Commission meeting scheduled for tomorrow to try and resolve the issue, with work bans set to continue at this stage.

Originally published as Noosa Council workers on strike in Hastings St over wage offer