Hobart and Launceston aldermen receive $34,002 a year, the deputy mayor $55,962 and the mayor $119,009. Reportedly Launceston City Council general manager Robert Dobrzynski's salary range is ($290,000 to $310,000). In addition aldermen receive allowances including for their telephones.
Reportedly Launceston's rates are the highest in Tasmania and some commentators say they are the highest in Australia. Launceston Council has the highest operating budget in Tasmania and ratepayers deserve a high level of accountability.
Interestingly, Launceston City Council Annual General Meeting is to be held on first Monday in December at 6.30 pm but there has been no overt advertising for the event so far least of all on the council's website. One has to dig deep to find the information.
Reportedly the General Manager thinks the AGM is a waste of time. If being held to account at it is unwelcomed that might be why and in 2015 especially.
The current contact information for the Aldermen of the Launceston City Council gleaned from the LCC website is:
• Mayor Albert van Zetten – T 03 6323 3101 M 0413 671 926 F 03 6323 3125 E Mayor
• Deputy Mayor Rob Soward – M 0402 357 536 E Alderman Soward
• Alderman Robin McKendrick – M 0419 873 413 E Alderman McKendrick
• Alderman Ted Sands – M 0438 540 395 E Alderman Sands
• Alderman Hugh McKenzie – M 0418 132 442 F 03 6337 3700 E Alderman McKenzie
• Alderman Jim Cox – T 03 6344 2569 F 03 6344 6952 E Alderman Cox
• Alderman Danny Gibson – M 0407 096 597 E Alderman Gibson
• Alderman Janie Finlay – M 0419 343 163 E Alderman Finlay
• Alderman Darren Alexander– M 0400 591 265 E Alderman Alexander
• Alderman Karina Stojansek – M N/A E Alderman Stojansek
• Alderman Simon Wood – M 0408 341 279 E Alderman Wood
• Alderman Emma Williams – M 0417 076 371 E Alderman Williams
• Deputy Mayor Rob Soward – M 0402 357 536 E Alderman Soward
• Alderman Robin McKendrick – M 0419 873 413 E Alderman McKendrick
• Alderman Ted Sands – M 0438 540 395 E Alderman Sands
• Alderman Hugh McKenzie – M 0418 132 442 F 03 6337 3700 E Alderman McKenzie
• Alderman Jim Cox – T 03 6344 2569 F 03 6344 6952 E Alderman Cox
• Alderman Danny Gibson – M 0407 096 597 E Alderman Gibson
• Alderman Janie Finlay – M 0419 343 163 E Alderman Finlay
• Alderman Darren Alexander– M 0400 591 265 E Alderman Alexander
• Alderman Karina Stojansek – M N/A E Alderman Stojansek
• Alderman Simon Wood – M 0408 341 279 E Alderman Wood
• Alderman Emma Williams – M 0417 076 371 E Alderman Williams
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE ALDERMEN CLICK HERE
If the Aldermen are so intent in giving ratepayer's resources to any institution or organisation they should be able to explain it to their constituency. Likewise, in the 21st C circumstances they should be be able to put their 'policy position' up on either the Council website or their own.
Currently there has been a deathly silence from Aldermen articulating their rationale for handing over ratepayer assets to the University of Tasmania. Note that the Aldermen are well rewarded for their representation of ratepayers and it is reasonable that hear from them justifying their support or otherwise for a proposition.
If you have not seen anything of the like described here phone or email the aldermen seeking more information. Aldermen will never be accountable unless they are held accountable.
Launceston Council presents a very good case for change in Local Govt. and especially so for dramatic amalgamations.
2 comments:
What do we get for those salaries? Lots of double talk and excuses, reasons why they should go on trips paid for by us, and a Mayor who gets the GM to do all his work for him. Good value? I think not!
Accountability and Launceston City Council should not be uttered in the same sentence nor written on the same page
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