QUEENSLAND mayors and councillors will benefit from a 2.5 to 3 percent pay hike this July.
The state’s Local Government Remuneration Commission recommended the pay rise which was delivered to Local Government Minister Ann Leahy last month.
Local government areas outside of Brisbane were given a 2.5 per cent pay rise and include Ipswich, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay, Logan, Townsville, Toowoomba, Redland, Mackay, Cairns, Scenic Rim and Lockyer council areas.
A 3 percent pay rise was granted to mayors and councillors in 44 rural and regional councils.
The pay packet for Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding will climb from $225,206 to $230,439.
Ipswich Deputy Mayor Nicole Jonic currently earns $153,145 and councillors earn $135,123. These salaries will rise to $156,974 and $138,501, respectively.
In making its conclusion on the salary increases, the Commission said the “challenging and unstable inflationary environment” contributed to its thinking and the need to “attract and retain high quality candidates” for councillor and mayoral roles.
The pay increases are an automatic process although Council can set a lesser amount by passing a resolution.
Councillors are provided with facilities and equipment and reimbursed for costs incurred for legitimate business expenses as well as the costs of representing the city in their elected role.
Additional organisational costs for professional development, insurance and councillor community engagement activities are available, too.
The Commission’s last determination was in 2022 and recommended a 2.5 per cent increase.
In 2020-2021 financial year, Ipswich Council resolved to keep its pay at the 2019-2020 limit. Councillors took the same approach the following financial year.
December 2024, data shows Division 4 Councillor Jim Madden received $16, 975,50 in salary and expenses, Division 4 Councillor David Martin took home $17,194.90, Division 3 Councillor Andrew Antoniolli received $17,885.40 and Division 3 Councillor Marnie Doyle $18,380.71.
Division 1 Councillor Pye Augustine took home $16,563.75 in pay and expenses, Division 1 Councillor Jacob Madsen $18,072.01, Deputy Mayor Nicole Jonic $33,959.46, Division 2 Councillor Paul Tully $16,897.20, and Mayor Teresa Harding $27,212.43.
