The Local Government Remuneration Tribunal want to give Newcastle and Lake Macquarie mayors a pay rise, but the question remains to whether they actually want it.
Proceeding the recent government mergers, the independently run Tribunal has decided to reclassify the pay of a number of local councillors including Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser.
If the councils decided to take on the Tribunal's recommendation, they would be voting to increase their salaries by more than $20, 000 for the upcoming financial year.
The Tribunal's role consists of three part-time members appointed to the Governor-General to determine, report on and provide advice on allowances and entitlements to public office employees.
Mayor Kay Fraser says an increase in councillor allowances is appropriate as it puts a value on the work they do.
"In the past, we have always agreed to proceed with the recommendation from the Tribunal. I think we need to consider the value of our positions and roles within the council and their circumstances...attracting a diversity of people in Council is really important," says Mayor Fraser.
Newcastle Lord Mayor, Nuatali Nelmes said she will forego the salary upgrade and ask other Newcastle councillors to also refuse pay increases in the hope of redirecting the funds to improving Wallsend's town centre.
Mayor Nelmes faces a re-election campaign in September.
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