Lake Macquarie councillors will receive a two per cent pay rise next financial year after approving the salary boost last night.
Councillors unanimously supported the increase after the NSW Government's Local Government Remuneration Tribunal determined a two per cent raise to minimum and maximum rates for NSW mayors and councillors, and council staff recommended the maximum fee be applied. It follows a zero per cent increase last year.
The new annual pay rate for councillors will be $31,020, while the mayor's annual salary will be $121,390 (the mayoral rate of $90,370 plus a councillor salary). The rates apply to Lake Macquarie being categorised as a non-metropolitan regional strategic area council.
In its determination the tribunal referenced submissions which sought increases to fees due to "significant workload, responsibilities, capabilities, duties and expanding nature of mayor and councillor roles". Some also suggested a pay rise may assist in improving the diversity of candidates.
Councillors Barney Langford and Kevin Baker pointed out the council was required to vote on its own pay, unlike other levels of government.
"This is one I'd like to see council pushing back through Local Government NSW to say that this is really something that should just be determined by the remuneration tribunal," Cr Baker said.
Cr Baker said the pay doesn't "reflect the amount of hours that any councillor puts in".
"I've never met a councillor that does it for the money," he said.
"There certainly isn't enough money there to say that it's a career path that anyone would openly be looking at.
"We do it for the love of our community."
