Perth Voice Interactive

THE number of staffers at Stirling council earning more than $100,000 a year has skyrocketed more than 450 per cent in two years.

This financial year, 121 of 1317 employees at WA’s most-populous local government will take home a six-figure pay packet—up from 90 last year and just 22 in 2013/14.

Last month the council passed a budget that includes a $3.5 million increase in employee costs for items including wages, superannuation and workers’ compensation insurance.

CEO Stuart Jardine, who gets no pay rise or bonus this financial year, says pay and ”flexible employment options” such as a nine-day fortnight attract and retain the best employees.

“Such benefits aid to attract and retain talented staff across all areas within the organisation,” he told the Voice.

He boasts Stirling’s retention rate is high: turnover was 11.9 per cent in 2013/14, well under the 15 per cent target.
At Perth city council 78 of its 720 staff are taking home more than $100,000 this financial year. Two years ago it was 43.

Bayswater mayor Sylvan Albert refused to reveal current details of high-income earners at his council, claiming it was too “personal” to make public. He would repeat only what was already on the public record, that 25 staff received more than $100,000 in 2013/14.

Bayswater’s budget reveals staff will receive a collective wage raise of about $900,000 but there’s no way of knowing how that is shared amongst employees.

An extra $400,000 will go to other costs such as workers compensation insurance.

At special council meeting last week, councillor Martin Toldo asked colleagues to consider imposing a wage freeze.

Finance and corporate services director Carissa Bywater says the pay rise is a requirement of a signed  enterprise agreement.

Vincent council failed to reply to the Voice’s questions.

by EMMIE DOWLING