Central Coast Council CEO, David Farmer, is one of the highest paid council heads in the state, earning almost as much as Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, and more than NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian.
The details emerged following an announcement that the NSW Government is considering changes to legislation to require an independent body to set the remuneration of local council General Managers (or CEOs), following community concern over hefty salaries.
Minister for Local Government, Shelley Hancock, said submissions are now open for councils and the public to have their say on the salaries paid to council general managers following the release of a consultation paper on remuneration.
“The comprehensive consultation paper examines general manager salaries to address community concerns that they are too high with a large disparity across the state, an increasing gap compared to salaries of other workers, and financial pressures facing some NSW councils,” Hancock said.
“Currently, individual councils determine the remuneration package whilst independent arbitrators set the remuneration of NSW senior public servants, ministers and members of parliament, as well as mayors and councillors.
“Therefore, the NSW Government is strongly considering mandating that salaries of general managers are set by an independent body, not by elected councillors.”
Hancock said the Office of Local Government has released a consultation paper showing general manager annual salaries vary from $143,270 to $633,852 across the state.
Enquiries to Central Coast Council have revealed that Farmer’s annual salary and other benefits total $517,625, inclusive of superannuation.
Latest figures show that Prime Minister Scott Morrison has an annual salary of $549,250 and Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s wage is $407,980.
While total payments of salary and other benefits to the CEO are provided as part of Council’s annual report, anticipated to be released in November, Council released the figures to CCN “in the spirit of transparency”.
“It is relevant that Central Coast Council is the second largest council in NSW in both turnover and assets managed,” the spokesperson said.
But Hancock said council managers should receive remuneration “not only in line with their duties, skills and experience, but in accordance with community expectations”.
Submissions will be accepted until Monday, August 2.
Terry Collins
You would have to ask. Can we afford the new CEO? At almost $10,000 per week! A pay package of $517.625.00 per year! Plus expenses. Who approved this package? I am certain the ratepayers did not vote for this. In an atmosphere of austerity it is well beyond our ability to pay if we are so far in debt. The ratepayers have already been slugged a 40% increase in rates. Now that Rik Hart has that one under his belt he now wants to make the increase in rates 15% per year! He has already borrowed $100,000,000 so now we are owned by a Bank and they will be pulling the strings. This is on top of Library closures ripping up usable playgrounds with the flimsiest of excuses and now amalgamating Theatres! At an expense of $40,000! They are using weasel words to make it seem they are doing us a favour. This all appears to be a part of a plan more than likely the State government? It would suit their purpose. Bury the Public enquiry or delay it for a number of years so everyone has forgotten what it was all about. I note that Rik Hart will no longer write a piece in the Coast News only Facebook! A great number of elderly people do not have access or want a Facebook account and a great number of middle and younger people will never look at it why would they! It looks as if Rik is hiding and can’t be bothered to interact with ratepayers. Just like The Hitch-hikers Guide we advertised the demolition of Earth on Alpha Century if you can’t be bothered to look at it It is your fault! They advertised the Sale of Land in Woy Woy in the Northern Rivers!
This is an obscene amount to pay someone in local government. Even if it is the second largest council in NSW.
And when the council in question is in such severe financial distress and ratepayers have to have such an increase it beggars belief.
Yes, obscene is the correct word. Also greedy, selfish, uncaring, & uncharitable to accept such renumeration in the first place. He earns more than Angela Merkel (who has mighty serious issues to deal with) It would be very intersting to find out exactly how David got to sit in that chair.
I thought that a CEO of a council would be a caring executive of the rate payers that he his suppose to be representing, it seems to be his only concern is that he his representing himself. Has this council gone mad considering the financial difficulties it is in.