Councillors’ wages dwarfed by pollies
While many state MPs recently scored pay increases of more than 20%, increases for councillors started at a more modest 4.5%.
One Queensland local government official pointed out the gap: "State politicians can now receive increases in excess of 20% compared to a very reasonable increase of say 4.5% for local government representatives''.
"That is a fairly sizeable difference and nowhere near as 'hefty' as the state pollies."
As of late last year, councillors' pay increases are no longer linked to that of state MPs.
Instead, they are set by the Local Government Remuneration and Discipline Tribunal, according to the size of the council.
Reader poll
Do you think local Mayors Mark Jamieson and Noel Playford deserve a pay rise?
This poll ended on 03 May 2014.
Current Results
Yes, they work hard for the region.
10%
No, they earn enough already.
80%
They should only get a pay rise if their council areas increase in size.
9%
This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.
An independent tribunal also set the pay rates of MPs, which included a $67,525 rise for Premier Campbell Newman, taking his pay to $379,160.
The pay rates for Queensland mayors range from $95,488 for smaller councils through to more than $220,000 for the largest councils like the Gold Coast.
Councillor pay rates range from $47,444 for the smallest councils to more than $135,000 for the largest council. There are nine categories for councils but no councils are included in the first two categories.
The Sunshine Coast has been classed as a Category 8 council, along with neighbouring Moreton Bay Regional Council.
Under the scale, the mayor is entitled to a base salary of $205,666, while the deputy's base is $142,497 and a councillor's is $124,868.
The new pay rates for Queensland councillors, which do not include other allowances, take effect on July 1.
PAY RATES OF SOME NEIGHBOURING COUNCILS
Category 4
Mayor $117,523
Deputy Mayor $73,452
Councillor $62,434
Gympie Regional Council
Noosa Council
Category 5
Mayor $139,559
Deputy Mayor $91,815
Councillor $80,797
Bundaberg Regional Council
Fraser Coast Regional Council
Western Downs Regional Council
Category 6
Mayor $161,594
Deputy Mayor $110,178
Councillor 65 $95,488
Mackay Regional Council
Rockhampton Regional Council
Toowoomba Regional Council
Category 9
Mayor $227,701
Deputy Mayor $157,922
Councillor $135,886
Gold Coast City Council
