Toowoomba Regional Council 2021-22 annual report reveals councillor salaries, expenses

Toowoomba’s councillors claimed less on expenses in the past year then they did in the previous year but also received a slight pay rise, a new report has revealed.

Toowoomba’s councillors have tightened their belts and cut their claimed expenses by about $11,393 in the past years compared to the previous year.

Collectively they spent $202,445 in the 2021-22 financial year, down from $213,838 in 2020-21.

The bulk of the money, about $166,700, was spent in running costs for the vehicles provided by the council.

This was followed by $26,418 for professional development.

About $17,270 was spent on accommodation with Melissa Taylor claiming $3341 in expenses followed by Rebecca Vonhoff with $2661 and Carol Taylor with $2535.

The 11 councillors claimed a combined $4208 on meals, while Mayor Paul Antonio claimed a further $1559 on hospitality expenses.

Mr Antonio and councillors Geoff McDonald and Megan O’Hara Sullivan claimed a combined $9605 on legal costs, with Mr McDonald racking up the bulk of that at $5621.

The report also shows the councillors received a slight pay rise, with Mr Antonio receiving total remuneration of $205,965.40, up from $204,935 in the previous year.

As deputy mayor, Geoff McDonald received $139,853.23 up from $139,727 in 2020-21 while the remaining councillors were paid $121,208.

It was a record year in terms of the council supporting local business, with $200 million spent in our region.

This is up from about $56 million in 2012.

In adopting the 2021/22 Annual Report, Mr Antonio said the past year had created several new challenges off the back of the Covid pandemic.

“We’ve run into unforeseen problems such as supply chain issues and a significant rise in the cost of living expenses, however despite these challenges we were able to adapt to the changing environment,” he said.

“The past year also came with various challenges with four declared flooding events causing more than $100 million in damage to Council roads and associated infrastructure.

“Given the extent of the damage, flood recovery efforts will likely be our greatest challenge over the coming two years.

The big jobs for the year included the Russell Street Refresh, Highfields Library, Millmerran Pool, Clifton Water Treatment Plant and the completion of the Queens Park Master Plan.

The council secured about $38 million in funding from the SEQ City Deal partnership over 10 years, $25 million of which will be spent on Toowoomba Railway Parklands Priority Development Area to increase housing availability in the heart of the city.