Shires confirm pay rise for new councillors
Western councils have ratified a pay rise for elected members following their recent swearing-in, and it will come in to effect in the coming months.
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COUNCILLORS of the Murweh, Paroo and Quilpie Shires will receive a pay rise in the coming months following a vote from the newly elected members.
A two per cent pay rise, as determined by the Local Government Remuneration Commission, will prompt an increase of each mayor’s salary to $108,222, deputy mayors will receive $62,435 and councillors will receive $54,110.
Murweh and Paroo councils voted on the new salaries last week, confirming the new rates would still come in to effect on July 1.
The two per cent raise was initially decided by the former shire councils months ago, Murweh mayor Shaun Radnedge explained.
“Back in December and January, the council agreed to the terms set out by the LGRC for councillors’ pay to increase in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI),” he said.
“Now, we have ratified that decision as a new council, and made some changes to travel allowances, as one of our councillors will be travelling to attend meetings.”
Quilpie councillors chose not to bring pay discussions back to the chamber; as CEO Dave Burgess told the Western Times, councils which don’t vote on it still receive the recommended remuneration, as set by the Commission.
However, discussions will happen again in all council chambers come December, when members will need to decide on pay rates for the following financial year.
Councillors will also have a say in whether they will accept a new rate or opt for something less – neighbouring Maranoa Regional Council even chose to reject this year’s pay raise.
In Murweh, councillors will be paying close attention to the local economy when it comes to making the call, Cr Radnedge said.
“We are fully aware of the constraints on the community and local economy right now, and will decide again in December,” he said.
“We have spoken about it, and will see how the community is going; no one can predict how things will change in this current (economic) climate.”
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