Rodney Stevens

A decision on whether Clarence Valley Councillors receive a pay increase of 3.75 per-cent, no increase, or the maximum increase permitted was due to be voted on by council at this week’s ordinary May council meeting.

The Local Government Remuneration Tribunal’s annual determination under sections 239 and 241 of the Local Government Act 1993, published on April 29, 2024, outlines the fees for Councillors and Mayors.

The determination, which sets the level of pay applicable for Councillors and Mayors sees Clarence Valley Council categorised as a General Purpose Council – Non Metropolitan Regional Centre, one of 23 such councils in NSW.

“The Tribunal has determined a 3.75 per cent per annum increase in the minimum and maximum fees applicable to each category from 1 July 2024,” the determination states.

Councils are required under sections 248 and 249 of the Local Government Act to fix and pay an annual fee to councillors and mayors based on the Tribunal’s determination for the 2024/2025 financial year.

The minimum fee for a councillor in a Regional Centre is $15,370 and the maximum $27,050, while for a Mayor the minimum additional fee on top of the councillor payment is $31,980 and the maximum is $66,800.

In the 2023-2024 financial year, Clarence Valley Councillors were paid $25,554 pa, the Deputy Mayor $31,950, and the Mayor $81,318.

Councillors have three options to consider.

1. Not increasing fees which would see the annual wage bill for the nine councillors remain at $293,104.
2. Adopting the recommended 3.75 per-cent increase which would see remuneration in the 2024-2025 financial year increase to $26,512 for councillors, $34,087 for the Deputy Mayor, and $84,422 for the Mayor, increasing the annual wage expenditure by $10,989 to $304,093.
3. Adopting the maximum increase in fees payable would see remuneration in the 2024-2025 financial year increase to $27,050 for councillors, $34,625 for the Deputy Mayor, and $86,275 for the mayor, increasing the annual wage expenditure by $17,146 to $310,250.

The Council staff recommendation that councillors voted on is that:

1. Council note the determination of the Tribunal.
2. Fees and allowances payable to the elected members increase by 3.75 per-cent for the 2024-2025 financial year.
3. The Deputy Mayor’s allowance be $7,354 plus 3.75 per-cent to be funded from the Mayors allowance.

The option chosen will only apply for current councillors until the NSW Local Government Elections which are scheduled for September 14, 2024.

The Clarence Valley Independent will report on the outcome of the vote in the June 5 edition.