Councillors vote for increase

Mayoral and council allowances will increase 2.5 per cent in line with adjustments set by the state government.

Baw Baw Shire councillors resolved to maintain the set allowance structure for their payments, but will receive a 2.5 per cent pay rise this year.

The mayoral allowance will be $76,521.69, while councillors will receive $24,730.80 each.

The Local Government Act requires councils to review and determine annual allowances within six months of election or by June 30, whichever is later.

Council may determine to either retain current allowances or vary them to different amounts within the range and limit applicable to its category.

Allowances also are subject to annual automatic adjustments set by Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins.

Council does not have to pay an allowance to a councillor or mayor who does not want to receive an allowance.

The mayor and councillors also receive 9.5 per cent superannuation.

Councillors also are entitled to be reimbursed for any necessary out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a councillor.

Cr Peter Kostos said the 2.5 per cent increase to allowances was not a council decision but a state government decision.

Cr Darren Wallace said he found this motion at odds with the council code of conduct. “You would think we would have a direct conflict of interest when we are considering our own allowances.”

Cr Joe Gauci said it was another situation where the state government put it back on local government to justify.

He said in every other case when councillors will benefit, they have to leave the room while discussion and voting took place.

“Yet in this we have to decide on something that we directly benefit from,” he said.

Charles Sargeant’s Carbethen Sawmill at Warragul c. 1886.

Charles Sargeant can be seen standing on the far left of his employees.

The sawmill was located on a property called Carbethen. The homestead was located where Fairview Homes stands today, whilst the mill was in a gully behind the aged care site.

In the background stands the bush just south of Warragul.

Note the bullock team at the upper right of the photograph. The timber was snigged out of the bush by bullock teams.

Photograph and information courtesy of the Warragul Historical Society.

If you have any additional information about this photograph, please contact The Gazette on 5623 5666 or editorial@warragulgazette.com.au.