Circulars

What’s new or changing

• The Local Government Remuneration Tribunal has determined an increase of 3% to mayoral and councillor fees for the 2023-24 financial year, with effect from 1 July 2023.
• The Tribunal is required to determine the remuneration categories of councils and mayoral offices at least once every three years under section 239 of the Local Government Act 1993. The Tribunal undertook a review of the categories as part of its 2023 determination.
• The Tribunal has determined the creation of two (2) new remuneration categories, ‘Metropolitan Major’ and ‘Rural Large’.
• The Tribunal has also varied the criteria of several existing categories.
• As a result of the creation of the two new categories and changes to the criteria of some of the existing categories, the Tribunal has re-categorised twenty-six (26) councils into a higher existing category or into a new category.
• In its determination, the Tribunal has acknowledged the issues raised in submissions about the remuneration received by mayors and councillors, including a lack of diversity in representation, the changing nature of work required to be undertaken and changed community expectations. The Tribunal has suggested there would be merit in a comprehensive review of the framework for mayor and councillor remuneration. This will be considered as part of the Government’s examination of the broader issues facing local government.

What this will mean for your council

• Sections 248 and 249 of the Act require councils to fix and pay an annual fee to councillors and mayors from 1 July 2023 based on the Tribunal’s determination for the 2023-24 financial year.

Key points

• The level of fees paid will depend on the category the council is in.
• A council cannot fix a fee higher than the maximum amount determined by the Tribunal.
• If a council does not fix a fee, the council must pay the minimum fee determined by the Tribunal.

Where to go for further information

• The Tribunal’s report and determination is available here.
• For further information please contact the Council Governance Team on 02 4428 4100 or by email at olg@olg.nsw.gov.au.

Brett Whitworth
Deputy Secretary, Local Government