The New South Wales Government has announced remuneration packages for councillors and mayors, allowing rise by up to 2.5 per cent for the next financial year.

 

The announcement comes after the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal recommended councils be permitted to increase wages of councillors’ and mayors’ fees by a maximum of 2.5 per cent from July 1.

 

NSW councils have different scales of fees for councillors and mayors, depending on their population and other factors, as determined by the Division of Local Government (see table, below). Mayors receive councillor fees in addition to mayoral fees.

 

“As Minister, I believe it is appropriate that the people who take the time to represent their fellow ratepayers and their communities are considered as part of the broader public sector of NSW, and have their remuneration determined in the same fair, independent and transparent way as other members of the public sector,” New South Wales Minister for Local Government Don Page said.

 

“Therefore, I agree with the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal’s recommendations to increase the fees paid to councillors and mayors by up to 2.5%, should councils decide the rise is necessary.