SA’s Local Government Association has released its latest survey of Council CEO salaries which shows conservative growth of about 3% over the past four years – in line with SA Public Service CEO salary movements.

Independently prepared by AME Recruitment, the report indicates the growth in Council CEO salaries are below movements in both the private and not for profit sectors.

In providing the comparative information LGA CEO Wendy Campana emphasised that unlike many organisations, Council CEO salary information was publicly accessible in a register at each Council office.

“These salaries reflect the relative size and complexity of Council operations and the high standards and levels of public accountability expected of public bodies.”

Ms Campana said SA Councils cared for infrastructure valued at more than $18 billion across SA and employed more than 10,000 staff and managed combined budgets of almost $2 billion.

The LGA would be providing more support to Councils on employing CEOs and setting CEO salaries through guides and consultancy services.

She noted that the LGA CEO salary survey was undertaken both to assist Councils in making comparisons when reviewing salaries and as part of its commitment to assist Council transparency. 

“In short it makes it easier for the media than if they have to knock on every Council’s door for the information,” she said. “This report is overdue, but we will now be undertaking this review at the end of each calendar year.”

“Sometimes we hear claims that these salaries are outrageously high, but in fact on every comparison we do we find they are appropriate and underneath CEO salaries in similar size organisations in other governments and the private sector,” she said.

“The public should be assured that elected Councils take appropriate steps, engaging independent advice, when setting salaries to ensure they are kept at levels appropriate to attract and maintain the expertise required.”

“Councils are extremely aware of both the cost of executive salaries, and the higher costs which can arise if public resources are not managed effectively,” she said.

“While Local Government CEOs do not generally compete with other sectors in terms of their output, Councils do compete with other sectors for employment of staff,” she said. “Councils are open to employment of managers and CEOs from outside of Local Government and we regularly lose staff to other sectors.”

 For further information contact: Media Officer Mary Ann Stenberg 0428 860 274