Clarence Valley Council compared to circus during fiery general manager pay rise debate

It’s been a case of if at first you don’t succeed try, try again as a North Coast council again decided whether a council GM paid more than $340,000 should get a rise. Here’s how it played out.

Clarence Valley councillor William ‘Bill’ Day spoke against the pay increase

It’s been a case of if at first you don’t succeed try, try again as a North Coast council once again decided on whether a general manager paid more than $340,000 should get a rise.

At this week’s meeting, Clarence Valley Council again voted on whether Laura Black should receive a two per cent pay raise.

The vote came after a rescission motion lodged by the four councillors — Greg Clancy, Ian Tiley, William Day and Deputy Mayor Jeff Smith — who did not vote for the rise at last week’s extraordinary meeting.

It’s thought the pay rise for the general manager (GM), who has been praised in a review, would be about $7200 more per year.

Clarence Valley general manager Laura Black.

Unlike the previous occasion, the latest debate was not conducted in a confidential session.

Councillor William Day argued against the pay rise due to economic conditions.

“Does anybody seriously suggest that we are underpaying our general manager?” he asked.

Mr Day said the pay is close to that of the NSW deputy premier and roughly double that of Clarence MP Richie Williamson.

“What are we saying to our community who are struggling to pay their rates or their rent … during this cost of living crisis,” Mr Day added.

He argued there were “substantial negatives” to Ms Black’s performance on the job, despite the positive review.

Mr Day pointed to community engagement issues, the Treelands Drive development and the Grafton Aquatic Centre.

The new Grafton Aquatic Centre was given as one of the reasons Mr Day did not support granting an increase. Pictured is a concept image of the future aquatic centre.

But councillor Karen Toms said Ms Black was “a good person who’s doing a bloody good job” and alleged there was a “vendetta”.

“It is a kangaroo court … the fact that there’s a rescission motion when there was a clear five-four vote, is really disgraceful,” Cr Toms said.

Councillor Karen Toms supported giving the GM a pay rise. Picture: Adam Hourigan.

Councillor Debrah Novak expressed disappointment with the process and compared the council to a circus.

She said it “was not on” for councillors “to lynch” the GM about a two – rather than a five – per cent increase.

“This sideshow that’s going on makes us look like clowns,” she said.

“We are navel gazing, we are being narcissistic, we are carrying on … We are better than this”.

Despite the heated debate, the final vote did not change.

Councillors Greg Clancy, Ian Tiley, William Day and Deputy Mayor Jeff Smith were in the minority when they voted against the rise.

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