Macedon Ranges council has defended its decision to increase councillor salaries.
The allowance was described as “a very, very good bargain” by mayor Jennifer Anderson, in response to a question at a recent council meeting.
“I think you get good value from your money from hard-working councillors,” she said.
Former councillor John Letchford had questioned why “councillors decided to give themselves a pay rise from the public purse whilst at the same time expecting saving from the operational side of council’s administration”.
The council has approved a mayoral allowance of $83,790.50 (including superannuation) for the next four financial years, beginning in 2017-18.
Each of the eight councillors will be paid $27,079.35 a year for the four years – a 20.9 per cent increase.
The mayoral allowance for the past four years was $69,325 a year; councillors were paid $22,405 a year.
Cr Anderson later told Star Weekly the hours the current councillors were working was “astronomical”.
Council chief executive Peter Johnston said the new pay figures were put forward at a council meeting on April 26.
He said public submissions were invited, but none were received regarding allowances.
