UPDATE: New reports confirm that ratepayers across five councils in the Hunter and Central Coast regions are paying their chief executives more than NSW Premier Chris Minns. Annual reports reveal that the earnings of these local government leaders exceed the Premier’s salary of $431,540, raising eyebrows and sparking discussions about local governance spending.
According to the data, Central Coast Council CEO David Farmer takes home more than $562,000 annually, while City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath earns $528,366. Maitland City Council‘s general manager, Jeff Smith, also surpasses the Premier’s pay, receiving $483,388 per year. The salaries of executives at Cessnock and Lake Macquarie are $481,338 and $474,126, respectively.
These figures starkly contrast with salaries in other regions, including Sydney councils like Campbelltown and Hornsby, where council leaders earn $344,729 or less. Notably, Muswellbrook has a general manager salary of only $280,344. The disparity highlights a growing concern among ratepayers about local government spending.
The report also indicates that Bath’s total earnings jump to $608,366 when accounting for his additional $80,000 salary from the Newcastle Airport board. This figure positions him as one of the highest earners compared to Sydney CEOs, including Jason Breton of Liverpool, who earns $591,533.
In response to inquiries about these salaries, the Central Coast Council stated that it serves over 355,000 residents and operates water and sewer services, justifying its high remuneration. The council emphasized its financial stature, being second only to the City of Sydney in terms of income and expenditure among NSW councils.
A spokesperson for the City of Newcastle defended Bath’s salary, asserting it is competitive within the top 20 Sydney councils and lower than the Central Coast CEO’s pay. They noted that Newcastle has been a leader in development approvals and achieved an $8 million surplus last year, alongside record infrastructure spending.
Overall, the nine Hunter councils collectively spend nearly $4 million on their CEOs each year. The median general manager wage across these councils stands at $444,063, slightly below the Sydney median of $464,000, which includes base salaries and benefits.
As the debate unfolds, community members and stakeholders are left questioning the value and transparency of local government salaries. Residents are urged to engage in discussions about budget allocations and priorities in their councils as this situation develops.
Stay tuned for more updates on this unfolding story.
