COUNCILLORS and mayors across the Wimmera are paid varying allowances that are dependent on a range of factors.
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On December 1 Local Government Minister Marlene Kairouz announced the results of a review into mayoral and councillor allowances.
Allowances were increased by an adjustment factor of 2 per cent across each of the three council categories.
The adjusted allowance for councillors in category one now range between $8,660 to $20,636, while mayors can be paid up to $61,651.
West Wimmera, Northern Grampians, Yarriambiack and Hindmarsh shire councils, and Ararat Rural City Council, all fall into category one.
Horsham Rural City Council is the sole Wimmera council to fall into category two.
Councillors can be paid allowances between $10,700 and $25,730, while the mayor can be paid up to $79,612. Superannuation is added on to the allowance total.
Horsham council chief executive Sunil Bhalla said it was up to individual council to set the allowances.
“This is an annual adjustment that happens every year to account for the costs of living. It’s a small difference from what we budgeted for in the Budget, but in the scheme of things it’s not a huge increase,” he said.
“Every councillor must get this increase. When a range is given, the council is able to set their allowances at a lower level. In this instance there is no ability to do that.”
In 2017 Horsham councillors opted to maintain their levels of pay despite the council moving from category one to category two.
Horsham council has budgeted to spend $203,000 on councillor and mayoral allowances in 2018-19. In 2017-18, councillors were paid $21,717 each, while former Mayor Pam Clarke’s allowance was $64,886.
Councillors were also reimbursed for travel expenses for council related commitments, with Cr Clarke claiming $87.
Brimpaen resident Cr David Grimble claimed $7044, while Quantong resident, and current Mayor Cr Mark Radford, claimed $2124.
Yarriambiack councillors will be paid $20,634 in the 2018-19 financial year, while Mayor Graeme Massey will be paid an allowance of $61,903.
West Wimmera councillors will be paid $19,376, while Mayor Jodi Pretlove’s allowance is $45,215.
Hindmarsh councillors will be paid $20,635 each, while Mayor Ron Ismay’s allowance is $61,650. In the council’s 2018-19 Budget, $63,301 was budgeted for mayoral allowance costs.
Ararat council allowances varied the most in 2017-18, with former Mayor Glenda McLean earning $38,264 before her resignation in April.
Cr Gwenda Allgood was paid $24,137, Cr Jo Armstrong was paid $21,973, Cr Peter Beales was paid $21,973, Cr Bill Braithwaite was paid $12,624, Cr Frank Deutsch was paid $1,231, Cr Fay Hull was paid $2025 and Cr David Pettman was paid $21,973.
Former councillor Paul Hooper was paid $21,632, while his fellow former councillor Darren Ford was paid $18,717.
The council is budgeted to spend a total of $233,000 on councillor and mayoral allowances in 2018-19.
Northern Grampians councillors were paid $22,007 in 2017-18, while former Mayor Tony Driscoll was paid $65,751.
