How will categories of local governments be established?

Prior to making a determination about remuneration payable to mayors, deputy mayors and councillors, the Local Government Remuneration and Discipline Tribunal must consider the criteria listed below to determine local government categories:

• size of the local government area
• geographical and environmental terrain of local government area
• population of local government area, including the area's demographics, the spread of populations serviced by the local governments and the extent of services provided by the local government
• diversity of communities including cultural diversity within the local government area
• the extent of development of local government area, including economic and community development, level of infrastructure, and industry
• the size of the local government and the workload associated with the particular size, including whether councillors of the local governments hold office on a full-time or part-time basis
• other matters that the tribunal considers relevant to the effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of local governments
• other matters prescribed by regulation.

Will the categories of local governments be reviewed?

The tribunal must review the categories at least every 4 years, to determine whether the categories, and the assignment of local governments to those categories, requires amending.

How will levels of remuneration be determined?

The tribunal is to consider the responsibilities of councillors as well as community expectations in determining the levels of remuneration to be paid to mayors, deputy mayors and councillors.

Can the tribunal’s remuneration schedule be varied?

A local government will be able to apply, under section 43 of the Local Government (Operations) Regulation 2010, for a variation (more or less) of the remuneration determined by the tribunal. The local government will be required to make a submission to the tribunal specifying the exceptional circumstances that warrant variation from the amount determined. The tribunal may consider the submission (but is not obliged). For more information about this, please refer to Making a section 43 submission to the tribunal.

Tribunal report

The tribunal must prepare a written report each year on:

• the establishment of categories of local government
• the category to which each local government has been assigned
• the remuneration levels determined for mayors, deputy mayors and councillors in each category of council
• any approvals made under section 43 of the Local Government (Operations) Regulation 2010.

The tribunal has provided its third report to the minister responsible for local government. The minister is to table a copy of the tribunal's schedule in the Legislative Assembly as soon as practicable after receiving it.

View the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal Report