Review of Councillor and Mayoral Allowances

Background

Hume City Council is currently reviewing Councillor and Mayoral Allowances, in line with the Local Government Act 1989, and is asking for your feedback.

The Mayor and Councillors are entitled to receive an allowance while performing their duties as elected officials.

How is the allowance figure set?

The allowance range is set by Victorian Government. This is done by allocating each council into one of three categories, determined by total revenue and estimated resident population.

The exact figure within that category is then determined by each council following community consultation.

Recommendation

Hume City Council is classified as a category 3 council, which is the category for a large council. It is recommended that Council should continue to pay Councillor and Mayoral allowances at the maximum allowable for a category 3 Council for the following reasons:

  • The City’s large population to councillor ratio
  • Location within a significant growth corridor
  • Cultural diversity
  • Economic challenges for its residents.

Specifically, it has been recommended that Council set the:

  • Councillor allowance at $31,444 plus 9.5% (as an equivalent amount to the Superannuation Guarantee contribution) equating to $34,431, and the
  • Mayoral allowance at $100,434 plus 9.5% (as an equivalent amount to the Superannuation Guarantee contribution) equating to $109,975.23.

Providing feedback

Submissions supporting, opposing or providing a comment on the proposed change to the Governance Rules are due by by 5pm Wednesday 21 April 2021 and can be made by:

filling out the submission form at the bottom of this page
by emailing Council
by posting Hume City Council, Governance, PO Box 119, Dallas VIC 3047

Submitters will have the opportunity to be heard by a Committee of the Whole Council to speak in support of their submission, if they wish to do so, on Monday 17 May 2021 at 6.30pm at the Town Hall Broadmeadows, or by electronic means if restrictions levels in Victoria do not allow for in-person meetings.

Background

Hume City Council is currently reviewing Councillor and Mayoral Allowances, in line with the Local Government Act 1989, and is asking for your feedback.

The Mayor and Councillors are entitled to receive an allowance while performing their duties as elected officials.

How is the allowance figure set?

The allowance range is set by Victorian Government. This is done by allocating each council into one of three categories, determined by total revenue and estimated resident population.

The exact figure within that category is then determined by each council following community consultation.

Recommendation

Hume City Council is classified as a category 3 council, which is the category for a large council. It is recommended that Council should continue to pay Councillor and Mayoral allowances at the maximum allowable for a category 3 Council for the following reasons:

  • The City’s large population to councillor ratio
  • Location within a significant growth corridor
  • Cultural diversity
  • Economic challenges for its residents.

Specifically, it has been recommended that Council set the:

  • Councillor allowance at $31,444 plus 9.5% (as an equivalent amount to the Superannuation Guarantee contribution) equating to $34,431, and the
  • Mayoral allowance at $100,434 plus 9.5% (as an equivalent amount to the Superannuation Guarantee contribution) equating to $109,975.23.

Providing feedback

Submissions supporting, opposing or providing a comment on the proposed change to the Governance Rules are due by by 5pm Wednesday 21 April 2021 and can be made by:

filling out the submission form at the bottom of this page
by emailing Council
by posting Hume City Council, Governance, PO Box 119, Dallas VIC 3047

Submitters will have the opportunity to be heard by a Committee of the Whole Council to speak in support of their submission, if they wish to do so, on Monday 17 May 2021 at 6.30pm at the Town Hall Broadmeadows, or by electronic means if restrictions levels in Victoria do not allow for in-person meetings.