Revealed: Fraser Coast councillors’ expenses, discretionary funds spent

The Fraser Coast Regional Council’s annual report has revealed the expenses of each councillor and the allocation of the discretionary spending of each councillor.

Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour and Fraser Coast council chief executive Ken Diehm.

The Fraser Coast Regional Council’s annual report has revealed the expenses of each councillor and the allocation of the discretionary spending of each councillor.

A regional snapshot of the Fraser Coast was also provided in the report, released earlier this month.

It revealed there were 438 council owned and operated buildings in the region, 293km of coastline and foreshore to manage, a population of 115,173, or 16.2 people per kilometre, and the median age of people in the region was 51.

The region welcomed 1.84 million visitors each year and had 2700km of roads and footpaths, according to the report.

There were 1419 open space and environmental areas, including reserves and parkland, with a total landsize of 7105km squared.

In terms of renumeration, Mayor George Seymour was the highest earning councillor, receiving $161,222 with expenses of $21,773.

Councillors James Hansen, Daniel Sanderson, Philip Truscott, Jade Wellings, David Lewis, Darren Everard, David Lee and Zane O’Keefe earned $93,339 in the past financial year.

Mr Everard resigned from his position at the council in August and has since been replaced in Division 7 by Jan Hegge.

Former deputy mayor Paul Truscott earned $103,030 and current deputy mayor Denis Chapman earned $96,425.

Philip Truscott was the councillor with the highest amount of expenses claimed with $28,777.

However a disclaimer said that amount included an overpayment of $1311.96 for private vehicle reimbursement expenses, which would be reimbursed to the council.

Mr Chapman had the second highest amount of expenses with $27,327, while Mr Hansen and Mr Sanderson each had more than $25,000 in expenses.

Fraser Coast Regional councillors (L) David Lee, David Lewis, Zane O'Keefe, Jade Wellings, Denis Chapman, George Seymour, Darren Everard, Phil Truscott, Paul Truscott, James Hansen and Daniel Sanderson.

Paul Truscott had $22,636 in expenses.

Mr Lee had the lowest amount of expenses claimed with $12,412.

Mr O’Keefe claimed $17,980 in expenses, while Mr Everard had $14,722 in expenses.

Mr Lewis claimed $16,112 in expenses while Ms Wellings claimed$18,770.

In terms of ordinary meetings attended, Mr Seymour, Mr Everard and Mr Hansen both missed two, while Ms Wellings missed one and Mr Lewis missed one.

Councillor Jade Wellings. Picture: Patrick Woods.

The report made mention of two findings of inappropriate conduct made against Mr Hansen, one in relation to a derogatory comment made on the council’s Facebook page about a council employee, which breached the Code of Conduct for Councillors in Queensland.

Mr Hansen came under fire after he made a comment under a photo of what appeared to be one of the council’s parks and gardens employees.

“ … looks like he’s never done a day’s work in his like (sic),” his comment read.

Mr Hansen has since claimed he made the comment as a “joke” because the worker, who he believed was an actor and not an actual council employee, appeared to be wearing clean clothes.

In a separate incident, Mr Hansen was found to have engaged in inappropriate conduct because he failed to attend the external meetings of committees he had been appointed to.

Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour.

The report also revealed there were four senior council executives being paid between $250,000 and $350,000 and one, chief executive officer Ken Diehm, being paid between $350,000 to $450,000.

His $388,986 base wages also included a $25,000 vehicle allowance and $4000 for professional development.

Each councillor had $7331 in discretionary spending and the total amount spent was $68,511 against a budget of $80,641.

Mr Seymour’s discretionary spending totalled $7331 and included funding for Maryborough District Orchid Society, Burrum Heads Progress Association for the annual Christmas party and funding for Hervey Bay Historical Museum Association.

Mr Hansen used $5382 of his discretionary spending, which included funding for airconditioning for Howard and District Progress Association, supporting Pioneer Day with funding for the Woocoo Historical Association, funding for Burrum District Community Men’s Shed and for the Lion Club of Maryborough.

Phil Truscott spent $5991.66 of his discretionary funds, which including funding for the Maryborough Choral Society. Wide Bay Snaggers, the Fraser Coast Agricultural Show Society, Maryborough City Progress Association’s Christmas street period and Maryborough District Orchid Society.

Paul Truscott spent $7184.91 of his discretionary funding, distributing funds for QCWA Branch Urangan, Independent Riders Australia, Neighbourhood Centre Maryborough, Fraser Coast Agriculture Show, Maryborough and District Animal Refuge Society, The Smith Family and Maryborough Amateur Basketball Association.

Mr Sanderson spent $4070.50 of his discretionary funds, including funding for the Maryborough Choral Society, Independent Riders Australia, Albert State School, Lions Club of Maryborough and Maryborough Central Primary School.

Ms Wellings spent $5867.61 of her discretionary funds, which included funds for Toogoom & District Community Association, the Zephyr St Performing Arts Community Theatre, Fraser Coast Bicycle Users Group and Riding for the Disabled Hervey Bay.

Mr Lewis spent $6246, with funds allocated to Hervey Bay Amateur Fishing Club, Hervey Bay State High School and Hervey Bay Swimming Club.

Councillor for Division 1 James Hansen

Mr Everard spent $6471.07 of his allocated funds, with contributions made to Fraser Coast Anglican College, Fraser Coast Chorus, Cool Country, Turtles in Troube Rescue and Fraser Coast Community Radio.

Mr Chapman spent $7300 of his allocation, including funds for QCWA Branch Urangan, Woocoo Historical Society, Kindness Works, Fraser Coast Bicycle Users Group and Fraser Coast Hospice Association.

Mr Lee used $7220 of his allocation, supporting We Care 2, Kal’ang Respite Care Centre Aboriginal Incorporation, Wide Bay Snaggers, Wide Bay Women’s Health Centre, Hervey Bay Bowls Club and Beach House Fishing Club.

Mr O’Keefe used $5445 of his allocation, supporting QCWA Branch Urangan and Fraser Coast Bicycle Users Group.

The Mayor’s Community Benefit Fund spent $17,416 supporting a range of organisations, including Mary River Lions Club, Country Ramblers, Urangan State High School, Hervey Bay Performing Arts College, Wanderers Australia, Hervey Bay Art Society and others.