Bundaberg Regional Council releases 2021/22 annual report

The just released Bundaberg Regional Council annual report has revealed its top executive earned almost half a million dollars last financial year, and how much its other executives, including the mayor’s chief of staff, were on.

Bundaberg Regional Council's annual report has been released.

The Bundaberg Regional Council annual report released on Thursday has revealed the pay packets of council’s most senior staff.

From controversial multi-million dollar projects to destruction of assets, Bundaberg Regional Council has certainly had an interesting financial year.

Ratepayers continue to cast a watchful eye over council’s spending, interested to see where their money has been used to benefit the wider community.

The report revealed that Mayor Jack Dempsey received a $158,168 salary with $21,167 super.

Deputy Mayor Bill Trevor’s salary for the year amounted to $104,059 + $15,007 super, while all other councillors received salaries of $91,571 with super payments of between $10,989 and $13,149.

Ratepayers have kept a watchful eye on council movements this past year, including proposed height changes to the Bargara Esplanade, which didn’t pass during a council vote on the motion.

On top of that, councillors were entitled to reimbursements, with Mr Dempsey claiming the most at a total of $27,769.

Councillor reimbursements included Wayne Honor ($24,209), Jason Bartels ($22,439), Bill Trevor OAM (Deputy Mayor) ($21,493), Steve Cooper ($20,957), Greg Barnes ($20,053), May Mitchell ($19,473), John Learmonth ($18,479), Tracey McPhee ($18,479), Tanya McLoughlin ($10,935) and Vince Habermann OAM ($10,991).

Councillors are entitled to be reimbursed for expenses under the Local Government Act.

Two senior managers or councillor advisors were paid an annual salary of between $50,000 and $150,000.

Two senior executives were paid between $150,000 and $250,000, and three took home between $250,000 and $350,000.

One executive was paid between $350,000 and $450,000; a figure the NewsMail understands belongs to CEO Steve Johnston, who reportedly took home $428,600.

The report shows Bundaberg council‘s lone council advisory role carried a salary of $177,995. That position was held by Michael Gorey until his departure in August 2022.

The council has remained tight-lipped on whether or not anyone would replace Mr Gorey.

One executive is paid between $350,000 to $450,000; a figure the NewsMail understands belongs to CEO Steve Johnston, who reportedly takes home $428,600 per year.

The report states Bundaberg Council‘s lone council advisory role carried a salary of $177,995. The position was held by Michael Gorey until his departure in August.

The council generated $12m more than it spent last financial year, which is up more than $3m from the previous year.

The audit office recommends the rate to be 0-10%, which means the $12m surplus would sit at the cusp of the recommendation.

Its annual audit by the Queensland Audit office came back positive.

A letter to council from the office stated, “no new control deficiencies or financial reporting issues were identified during the course of the audit”.

The office also said it had “not identified significant issues since the presentation of the closing report.”

Employee benefits

Increased staff benefits was one of the most notable changes.

Council staff received a $4,205,287 increase in employee benefits from the previous year.

The biggest factor to increase this figure was annual, sick and long service leave entitlements, which jumped from $9,881,204 in the 2020/21 financial year to $11,582,740 for the 2021/22 financial year.

Wages and salaries also cost council an extra $907,439 this year from the previous year.

The council spent a total of $3.6m on digital platforms and connections last financial year, up by almost $1m on the previous year.

The breakdown of costs to run its media platform, Bundaberg Now, has always been a mystery.

The council had previously stated that the website cost $5000 a year to run, and any questions about staff costs to keep the website running were unanswered.

Former councillor advisor Michael Gorey commented on a NewsMail Facebook post, stating Bundaberg Now only cost council $5000 a year to run.

When it comes to borrowings, the council’s loan balance sits at $97.6 million.

The latest financial report shows the biggest borrowings went towards general facilities and infrastructure and sewerage.

The most controversial project planned is a $75.8 million Bundaberg Aquatic Centre.

The cost jumped by more than $30m after last year’s estimate of $45 million.

Council will also use a $5m grant committed by the Federal Government for the redevelopment of Anzac Park after it made a controversial decision to demolish Anzac Pool, with residents calling for the Mayor to be sacked over the saga.

Anzac Pool was demolished by Bundaberg Regional Council while it was being decided for heritage listing by the Queensland Heritage Register.

Council will vote on a proposed trial at its October ordinary meeting for a new Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) service to be rolled out in 2023.

If successful, the service could commence as early as 2026.

The trial is expected to cost council about $70,000, but the green waste service will be at an increased price to ratepayers.

Read more about what’s expected with FOGO here. (LINK TO COME)