By XAVIER SMERDON
THREE Wyndham councillors have taken a combined six months off but they have continued to be paid.
The latest figures show that since January last year all 11 councillors were approved for a total of 254 days off, but three councillors – Intaj Khan, Glenn Goodfellow and Adele Hegedich – were absent for 187 days between them.
The news comes as the State Government said it would crack down on councillors with the announcement of stronger powers for the Local Government Inspectorate.
Councillors Hegedich, Khan and Goodfellow took off 77 days, 70 days and 40 days respectively.
By contrast, councillor Peter Gibbons did not take any time off while Heather Marcus only took three days off and Gautam Gupta was only approved for four days off.
Wyndham Council CEO Kerry Thompson confirmed that under the Local Government Act councillors were entitled to receive their ratepayer-funded allowance while they were on leave.
“Also under the Act, Councillors are entitled to take a leave of absence, with no explanation required as to why the leave is being taken nor is there a limit imposed,” Ms Thompson said.
“The Act also specifically states councillors are entitled to receive their allowance while on leave.”
On 28 January this year the councillors voted to increase their annual pay to $27,514 – the maximum amount allowed by the State Government.
Cr Hegedich said she was required to take such a large amount of time off because three of her family members had fallen severely ill.
She said she did not want to elaborate any further on her family member’s health but that it was of ongoing concern.
Cr Khan did not respond to Star’s requests for comments but Cr Goodfellow said he took extra time off last year due to ill health and his role as a volunteer firefighter.
“Yes I think it’s appropriate for councillors to take this much time off because you want to avoid burnout. I have not had a holiday with my family since I joined council in 2008,” Cr Goodfellow said.
“Just because a councillor has taken leave, doesn’t mean they have taken it for recreational purposes.
“Last year I had burnout fatigue and it took a bit of a toll on me. It was a wakeup call for me to slow down.
“It upsets me that people are quick to criticise councillors without knowing the facts.”
Councillors Khan, Hegedich and Goodfellow are all from the same War – Harrison – leaving Cr Bob Fairclough, who is also the Mayor, to represent that area of the municipality by himself.
Cr Fairclough said he found it easier to commit time to council because he was retired.
“I think it’s important to have people on council from a wide range of fields such as those with young families and those with businesses,” Cr Fairclough said.
Council crackdown – Page 11
