Brisbane councillors are set to receive their second pay rise in nine months. 

Brisbane City councillors will receive a 2.5 per cent pay rise from June 1, boosting their pay for a second time since a two-year wage freeze was imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pay rise was recommended by the council's independent remuneration tribunal, and follows a 2 per cent increase in September in line with state MPs.

The tribunal said that the 2.5 per cent pay rise is “salient within the context of local, state and federal remuneration arrangements”.

“We further think that for this reason it is an adjustment that conforms to community expectations,” the tribunal concluded.

All councillors and staff were put on a wage freeze in April 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, in a bid to save $36 million.

Brisbane City Council's finance chair Fiona Cunningham says the two-year freeze saved around $16 million, and “helped provide direct support to residents, businesses and community clubs at the height of the coronavirus pandemic”. 

“Since the freeze was lifted, council staff received a two per cent wage increase in October last year and another two per cent in April,” she said.

“The increase recommended by the Independent Councillor Remuneration Tribunal from June 1 is required to be accepted by council's CEO.

“Councillors are not, and should not be, involved in this decision. These were the first increases received by councillors since July 1, 2018.”

At the same time, the council is pausing multiple park and infrastructure upgrades to cover a $330 million flood damage bill in its upcoming budget, which will be handed down in two weeks.

Ordinary councillors will soon be on a base salary of $168,259 plus 12 per cent superannuation, while the Lord Mayor’s total salary, including an allowance of $99,970, will rise from $370,624 to $377,394, plus superannuation.

Brisbane councillors who serve on committees will receive $230,643 including allowances, plus super. The chairman of council will earn $230,643 including allowances.