Pay scales for mayors and councillors set by independent tribunal

Queensland’s mayors and councillors will no longer set their own pay levels following the release of the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal’s inaugural report.

Local Government Minister Warren Pitt said the tribunal’s report, which sets the remuneration categories and pay scales for all Queensland’s local governments except Brisbane, was a first and brought Queensland into line with other States.

“The establishment of the tribunal is a key component of the State Government’s local government reform process and has enabled salaries to be determined by an independent entity for the first time,” Mr Pitt said.

“This is another milestone in creating stronger councils and continues the local government reform process, which has been characterised by its independence.

“New local governments were determined by the independent Local Government Reform Commission, internal boundaries were set by the independent Electoral Commission of Queensland, and now we welcome the report by the independent Remuneration Tribunal which sets the salaries for elected local government members.

“In carrying out its functions, the tribunal consulted widely with stakeholders including the Local Government Association of Queensland, Indigenous councils, and councillors and senior executive staff from across the State.”

Mr Pitt said the new remuneration structure would come into effect when Queensland’s new councils were elected on 15 March, 2008. It applies to the 72 councils established by the Local Government Reform Commission.

All of the State’s local government areas except Brisbane were reviewed by the commission earlier this year. Brisbane City Council operates under separate legislation. Its councillors’ salaries currently are anchored against the salary of a State MP.

“The report allocates each local government to one of 10 categories, based on a range of criteria”, Mr Pitt said.

These include the size of local government area, population, assets and expenditure and current remuneration paid to elected members, and sets the pay range allowable for each council in that category.

“The salary ranges are based upon percentages of the salary payable to Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly.

“For example, in a Category 9 council such as the Gold Coast, the mayor can expect to earn between $183,000 and $202,000, while councillors – typically, full-time positions – would receive between $110,000 and $120,000.

“In Category 1, which includes councils such as Diamantina, Richmond, Blackall and Winton, a mayor would earn between $44,000 and $56,000, while councillors – typically, part-time positions – would earn between $12,000 and $18,000.”

Mr Pitt said the tribunal had also established a “special category” of councils, which included Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island councils.

A mayor of a special category council would earn between $50,000 and $69,000, while a councillor would earn between $18,000 and $44,000.

“I believe the new pay scales are not only fair and reasonable for the ratepayers of Queensland, but also accurately reflect the challenges and responsibilities of elected council officials in a contemporary system of local government,” Mr Pitt said.

“The remuneration packages are consistent with best-practice across Australia while also taking into account the unique geography and growth challenges faced in many parts of our state.

“The Government also believes that the remuneration available will convince many high quality candidates to consider nominating for election to their local council.

“The nature of local government in our State has changed significantly, especially over recent years.

“Many of our councils are now multi-million dollar operations and we hope that people with the skills and drive to help their communities embrace the challenges of the future will be attracted to stand for election in March next year.”

Mr Pitt said while the tribunal had set the pay scales appropriate for councillors, mayors and deputy mayors, the reimbursement of expenses for elected local government officials was not covered by the report.

“The reimbursement of expenses will be dealt with by individual local governments,” Mr Pitt said.

“The Department of Local Government is developing a set of guidelines for the reimbursement of councillor expenses, which will assist councils in developing their own policies to reimburse councillors for reasonable expenses incurred, and to provide assistance for councillors in carrying out their civic roles.”

“I congratulate and commend the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal for delivering this comprehensive report in a short timeframe, and thank the members for their dedication and commitment,” he said.

For more information on the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal’s Report, visit the Stronger Councils website at www.strongercouncils.qld.gov.au.

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819