Under the new allowances policy approved at Tuesday’s meeting, the mayor will receive $76,521 per year and councillors $24,730, plus superannuation. It is an increase from a mayor’s allowance of $68,870 and councillor payment of $24,128.

Councillor Simon Illingworth said while allowances were designed to encourage diversity, some members of the community were still not represented around the council table.

“It’s pretty clear in my opinion that the pay rate for councils such as this is fairly low, in fact very low,” he said.

“It appears to me, for whatever reason, we’re not getting young people having a go at council, single mothers… all these people have not got a voice on council and I am concerned that there is a certain socio-economic person that becomes a councillor, ideally it’s a person that can afford to take the time away and get paid the rate we get paid despite the hours you’re expected to work.”

Cr Neil Trotter said any potential councillors keen to take on the role for the money would be “sadly disappointed”.

“The time commitment it considerable. We have to be completely flexible and responsive to the community so we’re on call most of the time,” he said.

Mayor Jo Beard said she worked hard every day to “really prove to people that I deserve what I get”.

“I could probably liken the mayor role to a full-time job, but it’s 24/7, you don’t clock on and clock off,” she said.

“I’m not complaining because it is a great honour to represent the community.

Allowances are reviewed following each council election. The state government sets the ranges for allowances. Corangamite Shire is classed as a category two council with a councillor allowance range from $10,284 to 24,730 per year.

The new rate was proposed at the council’s December meeting and went out for public comment. No submissions on the change were received.