ALBURY councillors could be about to close the pay gap with their Wodonga counterparts after backing a move to join a higher ranked category of local government areas.
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A review into councillor pay is underway and it's been recommended Albury be included in a new remuneration category titled regional centre which is an upgrade on its present rural regional status.
Subject to the changes being adopted, Albury's mayor could be in for a $22,175 increase and a councillor in for a jump of $5065 if maximum levels are adopted for the 2020-21 financial year.
The potential maximum total cost for mayor and councillor payments under the proposed changes is $78,369.
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But, Albury has traditionally lagged behind Wodonga which can pay its councillors a maximum of $25,730 and up to $79,602 for the mayor.
Deputy mayor Amanda Cohn was the only councillor to vote against moving to the higher category, but Cr Darren Cameron defended the move.
"For the time commitment to be a councillor for the remuneration of $18,000, frankly, any of us would be better off getting a second job if we are only interested in the money," he said.
"This city operates its water assets, its sewerage assets, it has responsibilities for indeed all the staff that far exceeds the other cities it is lumped in with.
"Albury has been under-categorised for some time.
"From time to time I have heard councillors say they are not interested in the remuneration, but if they are going to take the moral high ground all the way and not receive the allowance at all."
Cr Cohn said councillor pay should be determined independently by the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal.
"It is really bizarre we don't all have a pecuniary conflict of interest with this motion," she said.
"My suggestion that we not make a submission (to the review) would allow the independent body to make that determination."
Cr Murray King said Albury should be going up "another rung" beyond regional centre.
"It is one of the fastest growing areas of NSW and the airport is the second busiest regional airport in NSW," he said.
"It is certainly punching above its weight.
"In voting for this I think we are selling ourselves a bit short and should be the next level up."
Also in the regional centre group are Wagga, Dubbo, Bathurst, Orange and Tamworth with .Lake Macquarie and Central Coast in the next highest group.
