Coober Pedy ups its offer for new council CEO position to $275,000

One of Australia’s most remote councils is on the hunt for a new CEO, offering a hefty $275,000 salary to inject life back into the community.

One of Australia’s most remote councils is on the hunt for a new CEO, offering a hefty $275,000 salary to inject life back into the community.

The outback town of Coober Pedy, in South Australia, known for its opal mines and underground homes to shelter from the brutal desert heat, has upped its offer after failing to snag a candidate with a $234,437 salary.

The South Australian Remuneration Tribunal decided to sweeten the deal by throwing in an extra $40,000.

The job now pays on par with CEOs from Yankalilla, Tumby Bay, Clare and Gilbert Valleys, and Berri Barmera councils.

The Tribunal has brought in a recruitment specialist to help lure in potential candidates, but even with the raised salary, finding someone willing to embrace the challenges of Coober Pedy is proving tricky.

“Highly unlikely” was the phrase the specialist used to describe the odds of finding someone with the necessary experience, who also isn’t deterred by the remoteness of the desert community.

Coober Pedy police station is suffering a severe officer shortage. Picture: Supplied

The town has upped its offer after failing to snag a candidate with a $234,437 salary.

According to a notice from the Remuneration Tribunal, getting the right person for the job is crucial, as appointing someone without the necessary experience could be risky for both the council and the community.

‘To place a candidate with lesser experience in the role would be challenging and a risk to council and the community,’ the tribunal said.

“To attract a candidate that could adequately lead and manage the council would require additional financial inducements.

“The Tribunal has recognised that the District Council of Coober Pedy faces unique regional and locational challenges together with additional responsibilities which are not generally associated with local government functions.

“Such challenges increase the level of complexity of the CEO role and the degree of risk associated with the recruitment decision.’

The District Council of Coober Pedy has been in “default” since January 2019, with administrators running the show for over five years.

Originally published as Coober Pedy ups its offer for new council CEO position to $275,000