Our biggest spending councillors

MAYOR Paul Antonio has once again been revealed as the Toowoomba Regional Council’s biggest spender in the organisation’s latest annual report.

That new document for the 2020-21 financial year, which also highlighted a $15m surplus for the council, revealed the region’s elected officials spent more than $213,000 in ratepayer money on legal fees, travel, vehicles and more.

TOOWOOMBA councillors spent more than $213,000 in ratepayer money on council cars, travel, legal fees, accommodation and other expenses during the past financial year.

The new Toowoomba Regional Council annual report for 2020-21 has detailed our elected official’s spending habits, which amount to an average of $19,000 per councillor.

The figures are disclosed in line with requirements of the Local Government Act.

Mayor Paul Antonio, who was the biggest spender by far with $42,000, billed the ratepayer for $12,000 in legal fees, $4700 in travel expenses and another $1900 for accommodation.

Deputy Mayor Geoff McDonald spent the secondmost at $26,000, including $6600 in legal fees.

The 11 councillors spent $164,000 in local government vehicles, which was offset by $36,000 in payments from each member.

The annual report also reveals the salaries of both the elected officials and the council’s executive branch, which currently sits at $3.87m.

Mr Antonio’s remuneration including superannuation in 2020-21 cracked $200,000, while Deputy Mayor Geoff McDonald was paid $139,000.

The other nine councillors were paid $121,000.

While the executive team’s specific wages are hidden, CEO Brian Pidgeon’s annual salary sits between $400,000 and $500,000, while two senior managers are in the $300,000 to $400,000 bracket.

Another six are paid up to $300,000.

The report also revealed the council received 46 complaints by members of the public regarding the activity of councillors and officers during the past financial year, 38 of which were reviewed.

Fourteen complaints were still unresolved and have been carried over to this financial year.

For a full breakdown of expenses, head online to thechronicle.com.au.