Ratepayers ‘set to fork out 30% pay increases’

Alex de Vos
A 30 per cent pay rise is set for Geelong and Surf Coast councillors, according to the head of Victoria’s municipal association.
The pay hike would put Geelong councillors on $23,400 a year, up from $18,000, while their Surf Coast colleagues would rise from $15,000 to $19,500.
The pay for Geelong’s mayor would increase to $68,000 and his Surf Coast counterpart would earn $60,000.
The pay rises would cost ratepayers an extra $76,650 a year in Geelong and $49,950 on the Surf Coast.
Municipal Association of Victoria president Dick Gross said the 30 per cent pay rise would be “fair” given increases in inflation over recent years.
He was awaiting a State Government report to confirm the pay rises.
The association called for pay rises in a submission to a Government review of councillor remuneration.
A separate body, Victorian Local Governance Association, had called for larger pay rises but Mr Gross expected a Government decision in line with his association’s recommendation
“When the report comes out there will be a significant increase in the dollar value of 30 per cent because of inflation,” Mr Gross said.
Geelong council’s submission to the review called for pay rises of 61 per cent for councillors and 78 per cent for the mayor.
Surf Coast sought parity with Geelong council through a “consistent approach” to councillor remuneration.