Augusta-Margaret River councillors and executive set for pay upgrade

Councillors will be asked to consider whether to give themselves an approved pay rise.

The approved increase is also open to the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River president and chief executive with the State Administrative Tribunal’s Salaries and Allowances committee recently clearing the way for another bump in pay rates for 2025-26.

Decisions on whether to accept or advance the increases will be made during the next two months.

Shire corporate and customer services director Mel Stevens said it was the local government’s role to consider the tribunal recommendations during the budget-setting process.

“For the 2025-26 financial year, remuneration levels will again be determined via council resolution as part of the budget process,” she said.

“For the 2024-25 financial year, council resolved to pay meeting fees at the 75th percentile of the applicable band, and the shire president allowance at 100 per cent.”

With the move to a full-time, independently elected presidency, at last report, the role attracted a nearly $100,000 total pay packet as well as support from a full-time executive assistant.

In 2023-24, the deputy president position had an allowance of $16,500 in addition to the $21,995 plus communications budget of up to $3500 awarded to all councillors.

The Times last year reported new chief executive Andrea Selvey would be paid about $339,000 a year in total as part of her five-year contract.

Ms Stevens said the recruitment process had set Ms Selvey’s remuneration at 95 per cent of what was allowed under band 2.

“Any increase to the CEO’s total reward package amount will be determined as part of the annual CEO performance review process, which is anticipated to be undertaken in June 2025,” she said.

Councillors last week backed a submission to the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries opposing aspects of a State Government review that would make chief executive performance indicators and their reviews available to the public.