REDLAND City mayor and councillors unanimously voted to not accept the pay rise set out for councillors by the Local Government Remuneration Commission which would have taken effect from next month.
Mayor Karen Williams announced at the budget meeting today that councillors and senior officers would forgo a salary increase.
Councillors do not get to vote themselves a pay rise, rather the two per cent increase was set by the LGRC in December last year.
"Considering the hardship being experienced by some of our residents and business community, we could not in good conscience accept a pay rise," she said.
The decision by councillors had been further supported by council's senior and executive officers who had also agreed to not accept a pay rise.
"The combined impact of councillors and council's 22 senior officers not accepting a pay increase will save residents about $150 000, which in the current economic environment will be welcome news for the community," she said.
She said while councillor salary savings may not seem a lot in the grand scheme of things, it was a statement of our solidarity with the Redlands Coast community.
