The Salary and Allowances Tribunal has made a recent determination effective 1 July 2019 to elevate the Shire of Manjimup from a Band 3 Local Government to a Band 2 Local Government.
Shire President, Cr Paul Omodei said "This is a very pleasing outcome that recognises the complexity and diversity of the Shire of Manjimup as an important regional centre." Cr Omodei, who is also Chair of the Western Australian Local Government Grants Commission, further added that "The Shire district comprises four townsites each of which, on the basis of population, land area and expenditure, could be equivalent to separate Local Government districts in some areas of Western Australia. This coupled to other dispersed population centres in our extensive land area makes for many challenges in the organisation."
Chief Executive Officer Mr Andrew Campbell said that "Whilst no two Local Government organisations are the same and every one faces different challenges, there is quite a discrepancy between the Shire of Manjimup and nearby Band 3 Local Governments in the context of population, revenue and expenditure, and complexity. The change puts the Shire of Manjimup on par with the Shire of Harvey and the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River as the other existing Band 2 Local Governments in the South West".
The Salaries and Allowances Tribunal, that has been in place for many years is an independent State Government run tribunal that sets remuneration for Judges, State Members of Parliament and Local Governments, considered a number of factors when making their annual determination about the Shire of Manjimup including:
- Major Growth and Development;
- Significant Social and Economic Issues;
- Significant Demand to Service and Support of Non-residential Needs;
- High Impact Environmental Issues and Needs; and
- Greater diversity of services delivered than normally provided by similar sized Local Governments.
Mr Campbell said "The Shire of Manjimup's medium to long term economic development strategies are clearly working with the previous decline in projected population trends from 2011 being reversed, new employment opportunities being created and the attraction of significant diverse investment right across the district. The State Government formed Salaries and Allowances Tribunal are now recognising this shift via adjustments to the Shire of Manjimup's Band level". Cr Omodei added, "The benefits of the Revitalisation of Manjimup's Town Centre and the Manjimup Agricultural Expansion Strategy projects have assisted growth dramatically however there are many more contributing initiatives and investment right across the district."
Council is required under legislation to set annual Councillor Fees, Allowances and Expenses and at the Council meeting 23 May 2019 resolved to increase them in accordance with Council Policy. Cr Omodei stated "Council has applied the long term Council Policy, first created in 2002, being 50% of the midpoint of the applicable Band range. This level represents a fair and reasonable amount for the time commitment required to be an effective Councillor that includes attendance at formal Council and Committee meetings, attendance at other public and private meetings, community engagement and consultation, representing the organisation at Civic functions, representation of electors, and attending training obligations." Mr Campbell added "The decision of Council has increased Fees and Allowances to a level comparable with the other two Band 2 Local Governments in the South West. Funding for the increase in Councillor Fees and Allowances will come from increased operational efficiencies resulting from a recent review of 2018/19 expenditure."
Cr Omodei concluded "The change from Band 3 to Band 2 for the Shire of Manjimup as of 1 July 2019 will provide a significant advantage when applying for major grant funding opportunities. Coupled to our recent grant successes where we have delivered multiple complex and innovative projects on time and within budget, during the assessment of grant applications every grant provider will take on board an organisations capacity, competence and capability to deliver significant projects. To be awarded the status of a Band 2 Local Government further strengthens the Shire of Manjimup's position in what has become an extremely competitive process to obtain large project based grant funding."
