10 September 2021

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The review of Mayoral and Councillor allowances was placed on public exhibition from 9 June 2021 to 6 July 2021. No submissions were received during the public exhibition period.

The following recommendations were confirmed at the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 10 August 2021.

That Council:

1. Having reviewed the Mayoral and Councillor allowances in accordance with section 74 of the Local Government Act 1989, resolves to:

    • Fix the Mayoral allowance at $81,204 (eighty-one thousand, two hundred and four dollars) per annum
    • Fix the Councillor allowance at $26,245 (twenty-six thousand, two hundred and forty-five dollars) per annum
    • Provide the Mayor and Councillors an amount equivalent to the superannuation guarantee of 10 per cent of the relevant allowance

2. Notes that allowances for the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillors will in future be set by Determination of the Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal (the Remuneration Tribunal) in accordance with section 39 of the Local Government Act 2020.

3. Notes that the first Determination of the Remuneration Tribunal will be made within six months of the Minister for Local Government’s request, notified to Council on 29 June 2021.

To view the minutes from the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 10 August 2021, click here.

9 June 2021

Council is now seeking community feedback on its proposal to retain the annual allowances for the Mayor and Councillors.

The Mayor and Councillors are entitled to received an allowance while performing their duties as an elected official under section 39 of the Local Government Act 2020. The Victorian Government sets the upper and lower levels for allowances to be paid to Councillors.

The review of the Mayoral and Councillor allowances has been undertaken and is now open for a public submissions process.

At the Council Meeting on 8 June 2021 , having reviewed the Mayoral and Councillor allowances in accordance with section 74 and having given public notice under section 223 of the Local Government Act 1989, Council resolved its' intention to:

  • fix the Mayoral allowance at the level of the current year, equating to an amount of $81,204 per annum
  • fix the Councillor allowance at the level of the current year, equating to an amount of $26,245 per annum
  • Provide the Mayor and Councillors an amount equivalent to the superannuation guarantee of 9.5 per cent of the relevant allowance

All submissions will be reviewed by Council and a decision will be considered at the Council Meeting on 10 August 2021.

Council is reviewing the level of Mayoral and Councillor allowances, as required by Section 74(1) of the Local Government Act 1989.

You can provide your views for Council to consider before the proposal is decided upon by filling out the submission form below, or by writing to Council by 5pm on Tuesday 6 July 2021.

Privacy/Collection Statement:

Council is collecting your personal information for the administration of your submission and/or directly related purposes. Council may disclose your information if required or authorised to do so by legislation. Requests for access and/or correction to your personal information should be made to Council’s Privacy Officer on telephone 1300 179 944. To view Council’s Privacy Policy click here.

Mayors and Councillors are entitled to receive an allowance while performing their duty as an elected official. Councillors are required to deal with a complex range of issues, competing interests and increased community expectations, while providing direct representation to their community. The proposed Mayoral and Councillor allowances aim to reflect the responsibilities and duties associated with the roles.

In accordance with section 39 of the Local Government Act 2020, allowances for Mayors, Deputy Mayors and Councillors are set by Determination of the Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal. Council is required to continue to review the allowances in accordance with section 74 of the Local Government Act 1989 until the Tribunal makes its' initial determination.

Section 74 allows the Victorian Government to set the upper and lower levels for allowances paid to Councillors within three categories based on the income and population of each Council. Hobsons Bay is a category two council.

The proposed allowances are within the range set by the Victorian Government and have not changed from the previous Council term.

  • It is proposed to fix the Mayoral allowance at the level of the current year, equating to an amount of $81,204 per annum
  • It is proposed to fix the Councillor allowance at the level of the current year, equating to an amount of $26,245 per annum
  • it is proposed to provide the Mayor and Councillors an amount equivalent to the superannuation guarantee of 9.5 per cent of the relevant allowance

In accordance with section 223 of the Local Government Act 1989, any person wishing to make a submission on the proposed allowances must do so in writing to Council by no later than 5pm on Tuesday 6 July 2021.

You can do this by:

  • filling out the submission form below
  • downloading and completing the written submission form in the document library and:
    • posting your written submission to: Chief Executive Officer, Hobsons Bay City Council, PO Box 21, Altona 3018
    • delivering your written submission to the Hobsons Bay Civic Centre, 115 Civic Parade, Altona

All submissions will be considered in accordance with section 223. Following the consideration of any submissions, Council will determine the level of Councillor and Mayoral allowances.

Please note: Persons making such submissions may request to be heard in support of their submissions. Any request to be heard must be clearly stated within the written submission. Any person requesting to be heard is entitled to appear in person or by a person acting on their behalf before a meeting of the Council. Council has scheduled a meeting at 6pm on Tuesday 20 July 2021 to consider and hear submissions received.

Your personal information

Your personal information will be used by Council for the purpose of contacting you to provide feedback on the outcome of your submission.

Details of written submissions received, including your name, may be included within the official Council Agendas and Minutes which are public documents and are made available on Council's website.

Submissions are then placed on a Council file and retained in accordance with the Public Records Act 1973.