Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney and suspended mayor Troy Thompson discuss Qld council pay rise announcement
Queensland councils are set to receive a pay increase from July 1, but not all councillors will accept here. Here’s how Townsville’s Acting Mayor feels about the proposal.
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Townsville’s acting mayor has confirmed she will not be voting for a pay rise, following an announcement that mayors, deputy mayors and councillors in Queensland would be receiving a salary increase.
The Local Government Remuneration Commission released a report in November, saying it was recommended for members of council across Queensland, apart from Brisbane City Council, to receive pay rises from July 1 2025.
It was then signed off by Local Government Minister Ann Leahy in December.
The report cited “recently challenging and unstable inflationary environment and measures taken by other government authorities to manage the impacts of inflation” as one of the reasons for the increase.
Townsville councillors are recommended to have a pay rise of 2.5 per cent, adding a few thousand more dollars to their salaries.
Suspended mayor Troy Thompson took to Facebook on Thursday morning to say he would have voted against a pay increase.
“If it is voted in, I will donate the extra weekly amount to a community organisation,” he said in a post.
“Personally, I believe we should not be paid extra in a cost of living crisis.”
Mr Thompson is still being paid his full mayoral salary while suspended.
He is entitled to a pay rise if it is approved by the council.
Ann-Maree Greaney said on Wednesday, when asked if herself and members of Townsville City Council would take a pay rise, that when she was appointed deputy mayor in December she confirmed she would not be seeking additional pay while acting as Mayor of Townsville.
“Currently, Townsville councillors receive about $130,000 in remuneration, the deputy mayor receives about $145,000 in remuneration and the mayor receives $225,000 in remuneration,” she said.
A pay rise of 2.5 per cent would see the Mayor’s pay increase to $230,836, the Deputy Mayor to $156,974 and councillors to $138,501.
Councils are able to choose a smaller pay increase if they choose before July 1, otherwise the pay will automatically increase.
Townsville City Council will vote on the matter before July 1.
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Originally published as Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney and suspended mayor Troy Thompson discuss Qld council pay rise announcement
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