Balancing fair wages with financial responsibility

Council remains committed to negotiating with unions to reach a fair and sustainable certified agreement, however high wage demands are making that difficult.

Council is working to strike the right balance between providing fair wage increases for staff without placing extra pressure on ratepayers.

With 86 per cent of Council’s revenue coming from rates and charges, any significant increase in wages has a direct and lasting impact on the cost of delivering essential services to the community.

Council acknowledges that both its employees and the wider community are feeling the effects of rising cost-of-living pressures.

In the latest round of negotiations, unions revised their wages claim to a 17 per cent base uplift plus a five per cent first year increase, totalling 22.85 per cent in year one.

While this is a shift from their earlier position, valuing our people means making sustainable choices. Committing to increases we can’t afford would either reduce community services or pass the cost on to ratepayers.

A 22.85 per cent wage uplift would equate to a 19.82 per cent general rate increase for ratepayers compared to the 2024/25 general rate.

Council’s current offer is both fair and financially responsible:

• Tradespeople: 14.61 per cent in year one, then 3 per cent in years two and three
• Field and outdoor staff: $1,500 uplift + 5 per cent (7.66 per cent total) in year one, then 3 per cent annually
• Admin and professional staff: 5 per cent in year one, then 3 per cent annually.

The current offer also maintains employee conditions including fortnightly RDOs and five weeks annual leave.

Council continues to negotiate in good faith however, industrial action including disruptions to waste collection has already begun and may continue.

Council respects employees’ right to strike and remains focused on minimising disruptions to essential services.