Town of East Fremantle council votes to pay itself superannuation

East Fremantle Borough councilors have joined other councils in deciding to pay themselves a pension.

Changes to the Local Government Act last year allowed local authorities to make pension contributions to council members.

It is compulsory for larger local authorities such as the cities of Fremantle and Melville, but is optional for smaller ones such as the Town of East Fremantle.

The council considered paying pensions in March, but this was postponed until after the October local government elections.

Council members voted unanimously to continue the payments at their meeting on November 18.

Staff had recommended payments start on July 1, 2026, to tie in with the start of the financial year, but council supported deputy mayor Lucinda Maywood’s suggestion to date it to the October 18 election.

Cr Maywood said this would bring the town into line with other local authorities.

Peter Kocian, senior manager of corporate services, said it would cost about $35,000, which was not budgeted for, but the financial impacts were “negligible” and could be managed in the mid-year budget review.

Council members may waive the payment of super contributions by giving written notice to the CEO.

Cr Cliff Collinson said he was pleased councilors could stand down as he was on a pension and retirement would be a “complete waste of time” for him.