Does the Shire need a deputy-mayor?

A RECENT more than one-hundred per cent pay rise for the position of Golden Plains Shire deputy-mayor has raised questions about the future of the position.

Current mayor and first time councillor Cr Gavin Gamble is a supporter of the deputy-mayor role and said the position is a practical one, not just ceremonial, and it is justifiable and fair that the person in the role receive an allowance above that of the general councillors.

“Given the geographic size and the nature of our increasing population and development, I believe the deputy-mayor’s role is more important in this Shire than others,” he said.

“We have twin regional cities at either end, with populations in our Shire that largely identify with either Ballarat or Geelong, and it’s important we have good representation in both those cities for our residents’ interests, both long term, and at times, immediate.

“Having representation with the status of deputy-mayor at community openings or awards, for example, is important and better than the alternative of no mayor and possibly, no councillor in some circumstances.

“Deputy-mayor includes being part of a leadership team and sharing and assistance to the mayor. Experience and ability to fulfil those commitments are part of the consideration from other councillors in the election of the deputy-mayor.”

Cr Gamble said within recent times, his deputy-mayor Cr Helena Kirby has been a huge support, especially when he was away from the council chambers having tested positive to COVID-19.

“As well as running the main June council meeting, the deputy-mayor represented the Shire at other meetings, and at the Committee for Ballarat dinner as Cr Getsom was unable to attend on the day,” Cr Gamble said.

“The invitation was offered to all councillors and senior staff, but after there were no takers, it was Cr Kirby, as deputy-mayor, who made an extra effort at short notice to attend with me, where she represented the Shire well.

“The reality is, unfortunately, if we didn’t have a deputy-mayor and we were relying on councillors filling the need for representation, often with short notice, it just wouldn’t have happened.”

Cr Gamble estimates there have been about ten days’ worth of time during his mayoral role where he has been unable to attend meeting, events or engagements within the community.

“Deputy-mayor Kirby has been relied upon to fill in those times on behalf of the best interests of residents,” he said.

“We are an active council, committed to and working with other councils in various associations such as G21, the Peri Urban Councils Victoria, Central Highlands Councils Victoria, and Goldfields World Heritage Bid, with mutual interest for our residents, so there has been many instances where I as mayor have been unavailable to attend meetings and functions with conflicting times.”

Cr Gamble said a renumerated deputy also means consistent and reliable back up.

“Knowing that person is receiving compensation for the role means the mayor has expectations of receiving help, and is not imposing on another person’s time… I genuinely feel our council has benefited from this,” he said.

All Golden Plains Shire councillors recently took the full amount of an allowance increase determined by the Victorian Independent Renumeration Tribunal.

Backdated to December last year, the mayor is now taking home just shy of $96,500 a year including super, a more than 38 per cent increase.

The deputy-mayor is the biggest winner, up to more than $48,000 a year, which is double the previous allowance, while councillors now get $30,000 or 24.5 per cent more.

Cr Owen Sharkey said he’s been looking at the issue through the lens of a ratepayer.

“If the mayor’s been happy to take the allowance increase, I would think that they would be taking the role as a full-time job, and therefore, there should be less of a need for a deputy-mayor than ever before,” he said.

“The role of the deputy is to help out every now and again. It’s a privilege, and that should way into the value of things as well, but there’s at least an extra $20,000 that we’re paying a deputy that’s not doing anything more than they were doing more.

“I’d be happy to do the deputy role at the same rate as the general councillors to save ratepayers’ money. I’d much prefer the money go to supporting kids’ mental health post-COVID, for example.”

Cr Sharkey said he “in-part introduced” the deputy role when he was mayor in recent years, having asked former councillor Joanne Gilbert to back him up.

“That painted a nice picture for the Shire with a mayor from the south, and a deputy from the north,” he said.

Cr Kirby was approached for comment as current deputy-mayor and former mayor but declined to take part in the story.