Council
19 June, 2026
Councillors struggle over issue of remuneration
Councillors across the region have been struggling with the issue of their own remuneration this week – at the same time as they have been struggling with potential increases in rates and charges.
Councillors across the region have been struggling with the issue of their own remuneration this week – at the same time as they have been struggling with potential increases in rates and charges.
The Local Government Remuneration sets minimum and maximum annual fees for mayors and councillors across a range of different categories, but individual councils need to fix a fee or the minimum fee determined by the Tribunal applies.
It was a problem for Goulburn-Mulwaree councillors at Tuesday night’s meeting and for Wingecarribee councillors when their June meeting reconvened on Thursday morning.
Goulburn-Mulwaree staff recommended that the allowance for councillors be set at the maximum in the ‘Regional Rural’ category - $24,080 - and that the allowance for Mayor Nina Dillon be set at $52,560 (in addition to the $24,080 she will receive as a councillor).
The Tribunal increased allowances by 3.7 per cent for 2026/27 after taking consideration “key economic data, all submissions received and the views of the assessors”.
Goulburn Mulwaree councillor Michael Prevedello said the commitment expected of councillors was increasing, but the question of whether or not to accept an increase in remuneration “by golly, by gosh” was a challenging one.
Cr Daniel Strickland said councillors would be “crucified in the media” for accepting an increase, but it helped cover costs.
He described the decision as ‘awkward’.
“I don’t think it should come to us,” he said.
Cr Jason Shepherd agreed that it should go to an external committee and said he would be voting against the recommendation on this basis.
Cr Christopher O’Mahony said the allowance was “not a lot of money” and acknowledged that councillors worked for what they received.
At the same he said it was ‘invidious’ that councillors vote on their own remuneration.
Cr Liz McKeon said councillors were “100 per cent committed” and representing the community was “a second job”.
“I don’t know if people know how much we do,” she said.
Cr McKeon also said decisions on remuneration “shouldn’t be up to councillors”.
Wingecarribee Shire councillors accepted the maximum increase in the ‘Regional Centre’ category but took the matter one step further – resolving to write to the NSW Government asking that the procedure be reviewed and that remuneration be independently assessed.
Wingecarribee councillors adopted a staff recommendation to receive $28,890 in 2026/27 and $71,350 for Mayor Jesse Fitzpatrick, “recognising the increasing complexity, responsibilities and public expectations placed on elected officials”.
Cr Heather Champion – who moved the recommendation with the amendment that council write to the State Government – said she felt “uncomfortable” making a decision about remuneration at a time when council’s finances were constrained, and it was looking at increasing rates.
She said it was “entirely inappropriate” for councillors to be making the decision.
“People will understandably perceive that it (the decision) is conflicted”.
At the same time, she said the councillor allowance was “not a living wage” and excluded many people from taking public office, including single parents, people from low socio-economic backgrounds and people who work.
Cr Nicole Smith also described it as “entirely inappropriate” that councillors be making a decision on their own remuneration, but added that increasing the allowance would help encourage diversity.
Deputy mayor Erin Foley said the role of a councillor should not be restricted to those people who were independently wealthy.
She said the role was extremely time-consuming and there was a need to pay people “what their time is worth”.
Cr Therese Duffy – a mother of four – said many councillors had diverse responsibilities and the increases in remuneration were small.
“Sometimes getting through the day is an achievement,” she admitted.
Cr Rachel Russell wanted councillor allowances linked to things like KPIs in the operational plan, community satisfaction and individual councillor ‘upskilling’.
She agreed it was a complex role and deserving of fair pay but said councillors needed to “‘lift their game and hold themselves to account”.
Cr Champion argued that good governance often meant making unpopular decisions.
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