Geelong’s money-tors
Council’s two watchdogs could cost ratepayers millions
GEELONG ratepayers will foot the bill for two incoming municipal monitors — who could be paid millions of dollars for doing their jobs.
Victorian Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins confirmed the City of Greater Geelong would cover the remuneration costs of the monitors, but would not reveal just how much they would be paid.
Ms Hutchins said the monitors, due to start work follow- ing the October council election, would be paid a similar rate to other Victorian council watchdogs.
The City of Casey last month revealed their municipal monitor, Bill Jaboor, was paid $40,000 for just six weeks work from July 6 to August 16 this year.
If the Geelong monitors are paid the same rate, they will rake in about $2.08 million during their time watching the council.
In 2013 Local Government Inspector Bill Scales was paid $250 an hour to dig dirt on Brimbank Council, where he was expected to work eight hours each week.
If Geelong’s monitors are paid the same, ratepayers will spend $624,000 over three years for the pair to work just one day a week.
If the monitors are on the same rate, but working five days a week, they will hit ratepayers for $3.12 million.
Ms Hutchins said the monitors’ remuneration package would be revealed when they began their work.
“The monitors will help council implement the recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry and implement the Council’s long- term plan,” Ms Hutchins said.
Ms Hutchins last month announced the monitors would be brought in to guide the newlook council, following a tumultuous period resulting in the previous council being sacked.
The monitors will be current city administrator Peter Dorling and with Jude Munro, a previous commissioner appointed in 2015 to oversee an inquiry into the Geelong council.
The findings of that inquiry led to the April 2016 dismissal of the Geelong council.