$240k for general manager

THE new general manager of Clarence Valley Council will be offered a salary package of up to $240,000, close to 75% of the prime minister's annual remuneration.

THE new general manager of the Clarence Valley Council will be offered a salary package of up to $240,000, close to 75% of the prime minister’s annual remuneration.

That’s about $18,000 more than retiring general manager Stuart McPherson receives but, according to Mayor Richie Williamson it is in line with what the market was now expecting.

The new salary would make Clarence Valley Council’s new GM one of the highest paid council bosses in the region. At $240,000, the only council GM to earn a higher salary would be the Tweed GM, who earns more than $271,000.

Third highest paid would be Lismore’s GM who earns about $235,000. All other council GMs in the region earn below $200,000. Councillors voted 7-1 to approve the salary increase, with Cr Jim Simmons voting against it. On Tuesday night the council decided to appoint a temporary general manager to steer the ship until a new GM is appointed.

That new GM will be appointed from outside the council, but councillors have opted for an acting GM with previous Clarence Valley experience, former Nymboida Shire general manager Mike Colreavy.

Mr McPherson retires on July 11 and Cr Williamson asked councillors to approve the appointment of an acting chief until a new appointment had been made.

The mayor recommended appointing Mr Colreavy, who retired last year from his position as general manager of Bellingen Council.

He was also formerly a GM of Muswellbrook council.

Cr Williamson said Mr Colreavy was familiar with the Clarence Valley because of his former position with Nymboida Shire Council in the 1990s and was prepared to take on the GM position until a permanent replacement was found.

However, a number of councillors were unhappy with being asked to appoint someone to council’s most senior position without having met him.

Several councillors suggested arranging an interview with Mr Colreavy but the mayor said the tight time-frame could make that difficult.

Cr Ian Tiley told councillors they needed to “place some faith in your mayor”. He also said he had worked with Mr Colreavy and would recommend him.

Councillors voted 6-2 to appoint Mr Colreavy, with Crs Toms and McKenna opposed.

Originally published as $240k for general manager