Exhibition of the draft Mayor and Councillors' Expenses and Facilities Policy

Georges River Council is asking for your feedback on the draft Mayor and Councillors' Expenses and Facilities Policy 2025.

This policy explains what costs Council will pay for and what facilities Council will provide to help our elected representatives to undertake their civic duties.

The policy makes sure that any money spent or facilities provided are reasonable, appropriate, and meet community expectations. It also ensures full transparency, so residents know how their money is being used.

What does the policy cover?

This policy sets clear rules about:

• Travel expenses - for attending meetings, conferences, and official duties

• Professional development - training and education to help councillors do their jobs better

• Equipment and facilities - items like phones and office equipment needed for Council work

• Conference attendance - costs for attending relevant seminars and conferences

• Care expenses - childcare or other care costs so councillors can attend meetings

The policy follows NSW law, specifically the Local Government Act 1993, which requires all councils to have clear rules about councillor expenses. Council cannot pay for any expenses unless they are listed in this policy.

What is changing?

This Policy review will not increase or decrease the amount previously approved. It will make minor changes to how this money is allocated. The main changes in this updated policy are:

• Professional development budget reduced from $1,500 to a lower amount per councillor each year

• Conference and seminar budget increased to $3,000 per councillor each year

• Clearer rules about expenses for councillors on the Sydney South Planning Panel

You can view these changes in full by downloading a copy of the draft Policy. These changes are highlighted in red.

What are councillor expenses?

Councillor expenses are costs that our elected representatives need to spend undertake their duties. These might include:

• Travel to meetings and official events

• Training courses to improve their skills

• Equipment like phones or computers for Council work

• Conference fees to learn about best practices

Where are expenses recorded?

We publish all Councillor expenses on our website twice a year. You can find these reports in the "Councillor Information" section of our website under "Councillor Expenses". These reports show what each Councillor has claimed and what it was for.

Under Section 252 of the Local Government Act 1993, Councils must set clear rules about what expenses they will pay and what facilities they will provide.

How you can be involved

We want to hear what you think about this Policy. You can view the draft Policy by clicking the link below, or by accessing it in the panel on the right side of this page (or below on mobile).

The consultation runs for 28 days, starting 24 June and running until 22 July. You can provide feedback by:

If you are submitting feedback by email or post, please quote 'Your Say draft Mayor and Councillors' Expenses and Facilities Policy 2025 ' and send to:

Do you need assistance reading and accessing this page?

For a free interpreter call us via the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450

If you have a hearing or speech impairment, please contact the National Relay Service:

• Voice Relay number: 1300 555 727
• TTY number: 133 677