Councillors of the Northern Grampians Shire have moved to set their allowances for their term in government during the April meeting on Monday.
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The council carried a motion to set the councillor allowance at $21,049 per annum and the mayoral allowance at $62,884 per annum, with submissions invited to be considered in accordance with section 223 of the Local Government Act 1989.
Councillor Tony Driscoll moved the motion to set allowances at these levels and said it was fair and reasonable.
"These levels of remuneration are set by the government as we are a Category 1 council," he said.
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"Councillors put in a lot of time and a lot of effort to serve their community.
"We are mindful of the fact we are a shire that needs to make every dollar count, but this is a fair and reasonable level of remuneration."
The Northern Grampians Shire Council is classified as a Category 1 council, with representatives of this category entitled to an allowance between $8,833 and $21,049 per annum, and $62,884 per annum for the Mayor.
An important reform of the Local Government Act 2020 is the transfer of responsibilities in determining mayoral and councillor allowances to the Independent Remuneration Tribunal (Tribunal).
However, until the Tribunal makes its first determination on allowances, the allowance framework under the LGA 1989 continues to apply, meaning councils must undertake and complete their own review of allowances by June 30, 2021.
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