Senior executives at two major South Coast councils have been revealed to earn more than the Premier of New South Wales, according to the latest local government annual reports. The figures have sparked discussion about remuneration for top-tier public servants in regional areas.
Comparing the Pay Packets
Wollongong City Council's Chief Executive Officer, Greg Doyle, was paid a total of $510,239 during the last financial year. This sum notably exceeds the $431,540 salary earned by NSW Premier Chris Minns over the same period. The CEO role at the neighbouring Shoalhaven City Council also came with a remuneration package larger than the Premier's, set at $439,419.
It is important to note that the Shoalhaven figure relates to the previous financial year and not the current CEO, Andrew Constance, who was appointed to the position more recently. Similarly, the reported salary for Shellharbour City Council of $388,756.89 does not reflect the pay of the current CEO, Wayde Peterson, who started in November.
Scale, Scope, and Salary Justifications
The councils overseeing these high salaries manage significant and complex jurisdictions. The Wollongong local government area, under Mr. Doyle's management, is home to a population of 223,411 residents. While Shoalhaven's population is approximately 109,000, its geographic footprint is vast, covering 4567 square kilometres compared to Wollongong's 714 square kilometres.
Other South Coast council bosses also command substantial salaries. Kiama Municipal Council's CEO, Jane Stroud, received $390,979.27 in the last financial year.
A spokesperson for Wollongong City Council defended the remuneration, stating that Mr. Doyle's salary is determined by a range of critical factors. "The remuneration includes consideration of a range of factors including experience, performance, scale of the council, population size, complexity of suite of operations, number of employees, budget, and comparison to other similar-sized councils," the spokesperson explained.
The council also referenced the Local Government NSW General Manager Remuneration Report from 2021-22, which indicated that the median salary for general managers of 'Urban Very Large Councils' in NSW is $492,446 per annum.
Context and Comparisons
The disclosed salaries place the Illawarra council CEOs in a comparable, and in some cases higher, earnings bracket than the leaders of several metropolitan Sydney councils, including those of Campbelltown, North Sydney, and Bayside.
Mr. Doyle's tenure was solidified in May 2023 when Wollongong councillors granted him a further five-year term, having initially been appointed as general manager in June 2019. The stability and experience of long-serving executives are often cited as valuable assets for large councils managing billion-dollar budgets and delivering essential services to their communities.
These annual report disclosures provide a rare glimpse into the upper echelons of local government pay in regional NSW, highlighting the significant financial responsibility placed on the individuals who manage some of the state's largest coastal councils.
