Councillors vote for a pay rise

WHITSUNDAY councillors’ workloads are such that they collectively deserve a 26% pay rise, according to a council submission lodged this week with the Local Government Remuneration and Discipline Tribunal.

Currently a category four council, the mayor’s position earns $120,226 per annum, the deputy mayor earns $75,141 and councillors earn $63,870.

The council’s submission said because of councillors’ workloads, the region’s burgeoning tourism market and “committed or proposed” Chinese investment approaching $2 billion, the Whitsunday Regional Council level should be increased to category five.

As a category five council, the mayor would be paid $142,769 per annum, the deputy mayor $93,927 and councillors would pocket $82,655.

Whitsunday Mayor Jennifer Whitney said as a category five council, the Whitsundays would be in a stronger position to seek government funding and deliver a wide range of services and invest in vital community infrastructure.

“Whitsunday Regional Council compares very favourably to other category five local governments in terms of size and population, and we think it’s only fitting that our region is given the recognition it deserves,” she said.

The motion was passed four votes to three, with Crs Jennifer Whitney, John Collins, John Atkinson and Jan Clifford voting for the submission and Crs Dave Clark, Peter Ramage and Andrew Willcox voting against the motion.