17-08 – 2017/18 Determination of the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal
| Category: Circular to Councils | Status: Active |
| Circular Details: 17-08 / 10 May 2017 / A545404 | Contact: Council Governance Team / 02 4428 4100 |
| Previous Circular: 16-15 | Attachments: Nil |
| Who should read this: Councillors / General Managers | Action required: Council to Implement |
| PDF Version: | Council Circular 17-08 – PDF |
What’s new or changing
- The Local Government Remuneration Tribunal (the Tribunal) has determined an increase of 2.5% to mayoral and councillor fees for the 2017/18 financial year, with effect from 1 July 2017.
- Following the creation of 20 new councils in 2016, the Tribunal, in consultation with the sector, has conducted a review of the categories of councils and mayoral offices pursuant to section 239 of the Local Government Act 1993 (the Act).
- The determination provides for the retention of five existing categories (some with new titles) and the creation of two new categories. In accordance with section 239, the categories of general purpose councils have been determined as follows:
Metropolitan Non-metropolitan Principal CBD Regional City Major CBD Regional Strategic Area Metropolitan Large Regional Rural Metropolitan Medium Rural Metropolitan Small - Each council is allocated into one of these categories based on criteria identified by the Tribunal in pages 12 to 15 of its determination.
What this will mean for your council
- Sections 248 and 249 of the Act require councils to fix and pay an annual fee based on the Tribunal’s determination for the 2017/18 financial year.
- Six existing councils will be eligible for increases of more than 2.5% as those councils have been categorised into a higher or new category on the basis of the revised criteria.
- The 20 new councils created as a result of the 2016 mergers have been placed in one of the existing or new categories.
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 on the Office of Local Government’s website www.olg.nsw.gov.au and on the NSW Remuneration Tribunal’s website www.remtribunals.nsw.gov.au.
Tim Hurst
Acting Chief Executive