Scenic Rim Regional Council has accepted the Local Government Remuneration Commission’s recommendation to increase remuneration of its elected members by 3.5 percent from 1 July 2024.
This decision, which was made at Council’s Ordinary Meeting this week, follows an independent annual review by the Local Government Remuneration Commission, which assesses the categories of local governments across Queensland and the corresponding remuneration levels for elected officials, as mandated by the Local Government Act 2009 and the Local Government Regulation 2012.
The Commission assigns categories to local governments based on several criteria including operating revenue, population and geography, projected population growth, and socio-economic status.
These categories are reviewed by the Commission every four years to ensure that remuneration levels remain fair and reflect the responsibilities of elected local government members.
Mayor Tom Sharp said the salary increase for the Scenic Rim’s elected members was in line with several neighbouring councils of the same category including Southern Downs Regional Council, Somerset Regional Council, and South Burnett Regional Council.
“Council acknowledges the Local Government Remuneration Commission’s dedication to ensuring fair and competitive salaries for elected members across Queensland,” he said.
“In 2020, Council voted against the Commission’s recommended salary increase as a show of good faith to the Scenic Rim community, many of whom were struggling with the effects of multiple natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our region has begun to rebuild despite the tough conditions of the past few years, with a 9.81 per cent increase in Gross Regional Product for the 2021-2022 financial year.
“This was almost double Queensland’s growth of 4.99 per cent, driven in the majority by higher commodity prices and inflation.
“In light of this, Council has decided it is financially acceptable to implement the Commission’s recommended small increase in salary for the Scenic Rim’s elected members.”
For more information about the Local Government Remuneration Commission and to view a copy of its Annual Report 2023, visit https://www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/lg-dev/for-councils/governance/local-government-remuneration-commission
