From council bosses make

Top bosses at Victorian councils are raking in up to half a million dollars a year, with some earning more than the Premier. See how much yours is paid.

Top dogs at Victorian councils are taking home almost half a million dollars each year, with five executives pocketing more than Premier Daniel Andrews.

An analysis of 35 of the state’s highest paying councils shows the top ten are dishing out pay packets of between $410,000 and $539,999 per year to their chief executives.

Former City of Melbourne chief Justin Hanney had scored the highest remuneration bracket prior to his resignation last month, raking in between $530,000 to $539,999.

That is $65,000 more than the premier’s $464,918 annual remuneration package which makes him the highest paid state leader in the nation

It is also just shy of the $564,000 Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pockets and well ahead of the $401,500 federal opposition leader Peter Dutton take home.

Mr Hanney, who resigned in October after an internal review into donations that funded his participation in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, had already seen his remuneration jump 4 per cent from $490,000 to $499,000 to $510,000 to $519,999 in 2021.

Figures from Melbourne City Council’s newly released annual report also show the number of senior officers – those making more than $151,000 per year – has jumped from 205 to 253.

Melbourne City Council said the increase was due to an enterprise agreement signed in November 2021 which resulted in back pay increasing the salary of several staff.

Acting chief Alison Leighton, who stepped in to replace the high-profile executive, is yet to have her salary determined.

Boroondara City Council chief Phillip Storer collected a hefty salary of $466,657, with a renumeration bracket of $480,000 to $489,999.

Renumeration takes into account superannuation, vehicle expenses and annual leave accrual.

Monash City Council’s Andi Diamond and Casey City Council’s Glenn Patterson are listed as earning $480,000 to $489,999.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp is the state’s highest paid mayor. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Mayors are also not missing out.

Melbourne’s Lord Mayor Sally Capp is the highest paid with an annual pay and perks package of $238,634 per year.

Most mayors earn between $71,335 and $119,316 a year, the analysis by the Saturday Herald Sun shows.

Eight mayors make around $120,000 a year including Moreland’s Mark Riley and Whitehorse’s Tina Liu who received a boost of almost $20,000 this year.

Figures also revealed Knox City Council had added 14 employees to the $151,000-plus club and Port Phillip City Council 18.