Bunbury council votes in $3000 pay rise

A $3000 annual increase in the councillor meeting attendance fee sparked a heated debate at the Bunbury City Council chambers on Tuesday night. Up until Tuesday night, the fee, which has not been increased in seven years, sat at $25,000. A motion speaking against the executive recommendation, which was to keep the fee at that rate, was presented by Cr Cheryl Kozisek and carried nine votes to three. “Bunbury is the lowest-paid regional city,” Cr Kozisek argued. “I have been with this council since October and I can tell you that we do much more than simply attend meetings, this is a 30 to 40-hour-a-week commitment. “When I ran for council it was not and still is not about the money, attendance fees have not risen in the last seven years, I believe it is time for an increase.” Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan, who voted against Cr Kozisek’s motion, was disappointed with the push from councillors to increase the attendance fee. “I have been in local government for 50 years and in that time I have never once heard a councillor say they are doing it for the money,” he said. “You are here to serve the community and given the circumstances, this year is not the right time for an increase.” Cr Michelle Steck said raising the fee was a “hot debate” every year. “Every year for the past seven years when this comes up at council it’s not a good time, so when will it be a good time?” she questioned. “If we are going to put Bunbury on the map, we need to value our councillors.” Cr Betty McCleary added that the increase will allow councillors to better themselves which in turn will better the region. “The increase in the fee is about informing, educating and valuing the councillors,” Cr McCleary said. “If we are paid a reasonable fee, we will be here for the city. “But if we are going to get peanuts, the council is going to get monkeys.” The councillor meeting attendance fee was raised to $28,000 per annum. To coincide with the councillor fee increase, the mayoral allowance was raised from $61,000 to $64,000 per annum.