Bundaberg council 2024 annual report reveals wage bill, $14.8m loss

Bundaberg Regional Council’s latest financial report has revealed how much ratepayers are paying for its senior staff and elected officials as questions about the organisation’s financial stability continue. See the details:

Mayor Helen Blackburn and Bundaberg CEO Rob Williams

Bundaberg Regional Council’s financial stability continues to be under a cloud with the organisation revealing it ran at a $14.8 million operating loss in the 2023-24 financial year.

The extent of the operating loss was revealed in the council’s 2024 annual report adopted by the council at its October general meeting, and published online.

The report outlines where taxpayers’ money has been spent in this financial year, the most revealing factor being a $14.8 million dollar operating deficit.

This year’s operating loss is well below the small $861,807 operating surplus reported in 2022-23.

A key part of the loss was an increase of $19.4 million operating expenses in the financial year as compared to the prior reporting period at the end of 2023, with the council’s operations costing more than $242 million to run.

In light of the annual report findings, the future of a number of infrastructural projects have been called into question.

Strapped for cash: Council’s operating position in a deficit of $14.8 million after significant contributions made by ratepayers.

Mayor Blackburn; Member for Hinkler, Mr Keith Pitts; and Member for Burnett, Mr Stephen Bennett; have all voiced their outrage over the $174 million proposed project which would likely leave ratepayers bearing the brunt of costs.

The report finds that ratepayers have contributed 76 per cent of Council’s total operating income through general rates and fees charges, which accounted for $174.1 million of the council’s incoming revenue.

Councillors received a total of more $1.1 million in gross remuneration for the year, along with $136,853 in superannuation payments.

Former Mayor Jack Dempsey’s remuneration across the period totalled $130,250 before the March 2024 council election.

New Mayor Helen Blackburn received $35,791 for the three months she was in office after her election.

Former deputy mayor Bill Trevor was paid $106,412 across the financial year, and current deputy mayor Tracy McPhee was paid $98,954.

An overview of the remuneration for senior management and advisors as outlined in the Bundaberg Regional Council Annual Report. The total remuneration packages payable in 2023/24 tosenior management was $2,852,244.

Councillors who were re-elected at the March election received a total each of $96,218 in remuneration.

The council’s executive branch received more than $2.8 million in remuneration across the year.

Three executives were paid salaries in the $400,00 to $500,000 range.

One senior staff member’s salary was between the $300,000 to $400,000 range, and four more executives received remuneration of between $200,000 to $300,000.

The councillor advisor role to the Mayor was paid $121,562 across the year.