Sunshine Coast Council and Noosa Council unveil 2022-2023 annual reports

The full extent of the costs of pay rises and overseas trips have been laid bare in Sunshine Coast and Noosa council annual reports. See how much was spent.

Noosa Mayor Clare Stewart (left) and Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson (right).

The cost of overseas trips and pay rises for Sunshine Coast and Noosa councils have been revealed amid an ongoing cost of living crisis.

The 2022-23 annual reports for each council showed the extent of pay rises for the mayor and councillors.

Outgoing Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson received a salary of $237,753, $4000 more than his previous year’s salary of $233,091, while Deputy Mayor Rick Baberowski, who also recently announced his retirement from politics, received a salary of $164,729, $3000 up from his previous salary of $161,499.

This came as residents received a 5.55 per cent increase to general rates.

Councillors Terry Landsberg, Peter Cox, Joe Natoli, Winston Johnston, Christian Dickson, Ted Hungerford, Jason O’Pray, Maria Suarez, and David Law had salary increases from $141,520 to $144,350, up $2830.

The Sunshine Coast councillors and mayor. Picture: Sam Turner

Their salaries are expected to increase again next financial year, with elected representatives to be given pay rises of between three and four per cent following the Local Government Remuneration Commission’s latest ruling on earnings, with the incoming mayor to be paid up to $244,886.

The report also revealed the costs of several overseas trips attended by council representatives costing upwards of $10,000 with chief executive officer Emma Thomas’ attendance at the 2022 Australian British Infrastructure Catalyst conference in London, UK totalling $17,913, while Mr Jamieson’s visit to the United States of America as part of the Council of Mayors South East Queensland delegation cost $12,289.

Sunshine Coast Council city hall at Maroochydore.

While these trips went ahead, Mr Baberowski’s request for business class travel to Europe for a $21,000 public transport study tour was voted down by his colleagues, with Mr Natoli citing cost of living pressures.

The annual report also highlighted the conduct and performance of councillors, with Mr Natoli ordered to attend training at his own expense for releasing confidential information relating to the Brisbane Road Car Park project at Mooloolaba.

Noosa’s elected representatives recorded increased salaries, while residents received a 5.55 per-cent increase in rates.

Mayor Clare Stewart earned $135,819, over $2000 more than last year’s sum of $133,166, while deputy mayor Frank Wilkie received $84,886, over $1500 more than the $83,228 he earned in 2021-2022.

Councillors Karen Finzel, Joe Jurisevic, Amelia Lorentson, Brian Stockwell, and Tom Wegener had their salaries increase from $70,743 to $72,152.

While Ms Stewart travelled to the United States of America and Canada as part of the Council of Mayors South East Queensland delegation, the annual report revealed that the trip came at no cost to council.

Originally published as Sunshine Coast Council and Noosa Council unveil 2022-2023 annual reports