Casey Council administrators to be paid $924,000 in allowances
Casey Council’s administrators will be paid almost a million dollars in allowances, which is more than double compared to former sacked councillors. It comes as a leading ratepayers’ advocacy group has slammed the cash splash as “outrageous”.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Ratepayers will fork out almost a million dollars on Casey Council administrator allowances.
The Leader can reveal the 2020-21 budget for administrator allowances will be more than doubled compared to former councillors, who were sacked in February on the recommendation of its monitor Laurinda Gardner.
The allowances determined by the Local Government Minister include $924,000 for chairperson Noelene Duff and panel members Cameron Boardman and Miguel Belmar, compared to the 2019-2020 budget for councillors, which was $454,000 with a forecast actual of $420,000.
The council is at the centre of a IBAC probe into contentious planning decisions.
The IBAC hearings have been adjourned until further notice due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Leader previously revealed in May the total cost of administrators’ salaries was $428,650, with Ms Duff earning $281,300 and panel members earning $147,350 each.
Ratepayers Victoria president Dean Hurlston said the cash splash was “outrageous” and a total waste of ratepayers’ money.
“This is more outrageous proof that the Local Government Act passed by State Government last year is completely out of touch with every ratepayer across the state,” Mr Hurlston said.
“It is irresponsible to remove elected representation from residents and charge them nearly a half a million dollars to do it,” he said.
Former Casey councillor Rex Flannery said the cost was completely unacceptable.
“Ratepayers are not getting value for their money. They don’t have the engagement with the councillors they once did,” Mr Flannery said.
“I used to walk around my ward, knock on doors and engage with the community, this just isn’t happening” he said.
Casey governance manager Holly De Kretser said the council did not determine the level of allowance and was instead required to make payments as directed by the State Government.
Ms De Krester said the council’s 2020-21 budget was prepared before the council was notified by the Minister for Local Government of the remuneration to be paid to the full panel of administrators.
“Now that the panel is in place and the conditions are confirmed, the level of remuneration is expected to be about $700,000, with the total actual costs to be transparently disclosed in the annual report each year,” she said.
A State Government spokeswoman said allowances for administrators were set at an equivalent level to other council administrations of the same size.
“The allowances reflect the nature of the task facing the administrators in restoring good governance to the City of Casey,” the spokeswoman said.
MORE NEWS
DANDENONG COUNCILLORS USE CREDIT CARDS FOR MEALS, TRAVEL
BANDIT ABDUL AGBERE JAILED FOR TERRIFYING $20,000 SUNSHINE PLAZA