The NSW Local Government Remuneration Tribunal determines how much councillors’ annual fees will be each year.

At a council meeting on Tuesday night, a report will be reviewed recommending the maximum allowable amount be endorsed.

That will take Tamworth councillors’ annual fee from $18,840, as at June 28 last year, to $19,310. Under the agreement, Tamworth is categorised as Regional Rural.

If passed, the mayor will receive the agreed councillor allowance, as well as the additional mayoral fee of $42,120 – taking the amount from $59,930 last year, to $61,430.

The change stems from the amalgamation of councils over the past 12 months, which has seen a reduction in the number of councils in NSW from 152 to 128.

Tamworth Regional Council general manager Paul Bennett said the fees aim to ensure that councillors are not out of pocket for expenses incurred during their term.

“The fee payable to councillors is quite small in comparison to the time spent at fortnightly meetings, regular workshops and various events they attend throughout their term,” Mr Bennett said in a statement.

“It’s important that councillors don’t walk away from their term feeling as though it has cost them money.

“If that happened, we simply would not get the interest from community members to put their hand up and run for council and we don’t want to see any obstacles placed for fresh new faces considering joining. 

“Our councillors put in a significant amount of their time to serve the community, and if the payment doesn’t cover the costs associated with this time, we won’t have people putting their hands up.”

Mr Bennett noted the significant difference between regional and metropolitan areas – with councillors and mayors in the city earning $30,500 and $95,000 respectively. “That is a significant difference to the Regional Rural category, but does not necessarily reflect the service levels provided to residents,” he said.

“The Tamworth LGA manages the largest road network in NSW, operates six libraries, six museums, six public swimming pools, three community centres and one art gallery. We have 44 Section 355 Committees established to assist in managing community assets, which is more than any council in NSW.”