Member for Goulburn Pru Goward with Anthony McMahon, Hilltops General Manager, whilst playing Rugby for Boorowa in a match against Crookwell.
Hilltops Council General Manager Anthony McMahon has been on leave for several weeks and his absence from Council’s top job looks set to continue, with the possibility he will not return to the role until the end of June. Reasons for his time away from the job remain unclear. Hilltops Council is yet to formally announce that the General Manager is on extended leave or formally announce his replacement. Information which is critical to rate payers and residents whose rates fund the functions of Council and who have been left in the dark.
The Twin Town Times questioned Council regarding McMahon’s absence and were met with a stone wall with Council staff unwilling to comment. Rate payers and residents are no doubt unhappy at the veil of secrecy and insular nature Hilltops Council has taken on since its inception, which has forced some workers within the work force to ‘speak up’ and contact the media directly themselves with information.
Hilltops Council are still unable to identify any savings since the forced merger was enacted on May 12 2016, or give updates as to the work completed, with money allocated from the $1 million dollar Stronger Region Grants. The General Manager currently receives $5,248 per week via his salary package. This figure was approved by Administrator Wendy Tuckerman. Normally a Council decides on the remuneration package of the General Manager, however, under the Administration period which ends in September, the decision is left up to the Administrator who sets the fee.
Outgoing costs for the General Manager have no doubt doubled this figure to $10,496 a week for the GM position’s, remuneration. Whilst the GM is on leave, the Acting General Manager is to fulfil the duties set down. Protocol states that the Acting General Manager would receive the same level of pay as the regular GM would, whilst that person is acting in the role.
With savings promised and streamlined services and communication improvements expected from the merger, Hilltops is falling well short of the mark by which rate payers and residents would deem as an improvement on the performance of the former Shire Councils.
2015 figures obtained by the Times detail other salaries relative to city areas for General managers, including: David Backhouse – Strathfield Council population 35,188 people. Salary of $273,988. Ron Moore – Camden Council population 56,720. Salary of $272,979. Peter Jackson – Hawkesbury Council population of 62,485 people. Salary of $266,501. Michael McMahon – Burwood Council population of 36,139 people. Salary of $246,697. Mark Brisby – Auburn Council population of 76,519 people. Salary of $233,701. Vanessa Chan – Ashfield Council population 44,450. Salary of $224,375. Barry Smith – Hunter’s Hill Council population 13,215 people. Salary of $216,570
The Hilltops Council has a population of 19,000 people and the General Manager is on a salary
of $272.900
