More than 50 council officers in Victoria earning more than Daniel Andrews

MORE than 50 council officers in Victoria are earning as much or more than the premier, including some who are not even in their council’s top job.

At least 50 council officers in Victoria are earning as much — or more — than Premier Daniel Andrews.

MORE than 50 council officers in Victoria are earning as much or more than the premier, including some who are not even in their council’s top job.

An analysis of all 79 Victorian councils’ senior staff wages by Leader News reveals the salaries being paid to an increasing army of bureaucrats.

Almost 1000 officers are earning at least $150,000 a year while more than 100 officers receive at least $250,000 a year.

Fifty-one are on a wage of $290,000 or more — the salary of Premier Daniel Andrews.

The 2015/16 financial year wage breakdown, which shows the salary band only, includes the chief executive, staff who have management responsibilities and those whose salary exceeds $124,000.

The highest paid are Melbourne CEO Ben Rimmer who receives between $460,000-$469,999 and Greater Geelong CEO Kelvin Spiller who earns between $400,000-$409,000.

Other councils with highly paid CEOs include Boroondara on wages of at least $390,000 a year, Greater Dandenong, Mornington Peninsula, Whitehorse and Yarra Ranges who are paid at least $380,000 and Kingston, Port Phillip and Stonnington on at least $370,000.

Boroondara CEO Phillip Storer earns at least $390,000 a year.

Melbourne CEO Ben Rimmer earns between $460,000 and $469,999. Picture: Kris Reichl

The number of council staff across Victoria on a pay scale of between $150,000 and $460,000 increased by more than 60 last financial year.

Ratepayers Victoria spokesman Joe Lenzo said such exorbitant salaries couldn’t be justified.

“Without a doubt they are out of line with community standards,” he said.

“Unfortunately the community might have an unrealistic expectation but the council does little to show the community that these salaries and benefits are competitive and not excessive.”

Mr Lenzo said councils needed to be more transparent because the pay situation was now out of control.

Top 15 annual salaries of council CEOs
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Victorian Local Governance Association chief executive Kathryn Arndt said councils could be large and complex organisations and often competed with the private sector to attract and retain staff.

“There is a perception that council operations can be made more efficient, including capping of wages for senior staff,” she said.

“There is a fine balance between paying for expert staff and their responsibilities against a backdrop of salary expectations in other sectors.”