other · City of Wanneroo
Wanneroo committee recommends Council consider maximum CEO remuneration
The committee recommended Council consider raising the CEO’s remuneration to the maximum allowed for band-one local governments, along with an allowance matching council members’ professional development level.
The City of Wanneroo’s chief executive could be paid the maximum allowed under a State Administrative Tribunal determination for band-one local governments after a committee recommended Council consider increasing the remuneration package.
The Chief Executive Officer Performance Review Committee also recommended Council consider raising the CEO’s professional development allowance to the same level as council members.
Mayor Linda Aitken, Cr Paul Miles and Cr Jordan Wright voted unanimously, 3-0, for the recommendations at the committee’s 3 August meeting.
The recommendations were made during the confidential 2025/26 annual performance review. The committee moved into confidential session under section 5.23(2)(b) of the Local Government Act 1995, which covers information relating to an individual’s personal affairs.
The committee recommended Council endorse a report prepared by Helen Hardcastle for the CEO’s annual performance review. That recommendation requires an absolute majority of Council. The timing of Council’s consideration was not specified.
The committee did not approve a remuneration increase or a change to the professional development allowance. Both matters were referred to Council for consideration.
The review followed a Quarter 4 corporate performance report covering the first year of the Council Plan. It recorded 87 of 94 initiatives, or 92.6 per cent, as on target, being monitored or completed at the end of June.
Seven initiatives were deferred because of funding, strategic planning, systems review or dependency issues, with management actions identified for each deferred initiative.
The report recorded $75.1 million in expenditure across the City’s Top Capital Projects, against a combined annual budget of $78.1 million. That produced a favourable variance of approximately $3 million.
Major projects including the Alkimos Aquatic and Recreation Centre, Brazier Road Upgrade, Rotary Park Upgrade and Girrawheen Hub Redevelopment continued to advance during the quarter.
Reference minutes
City of Wanneroo Chief Executive Officer Performance Review Committee meeting, 3 August 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- The Chief Executive Officer Performance Review Committee recommended Council consider increasing the CEO’s remuneration to the maximum allowed under the State Administrative Tribunal determination for band-one local governments.
- The committee recommended Council consider lifting the CEO’s professional development allowance to the same level as council members.
- Mayor Linda Aitken, Cr Paul Miles and Cr Jordan Wright voted unanimously, 3-0, for the recommendations.
- The committee recommended Council endorse the CEO’s 2025/26 annual performance review report by Helen Hardcastle, subject to an absolute majority.
- The Quarter 4 report recorded 87 of 94 Council Plan initiatives, or 92.6 per cent, as on target, monitored or completed.
- Top Capital Projects spending was $75.1 million against a combined annual budget of $78.1 million.
Why it matters
- Any approved change would increase the City’s senior executive employment costs. Council has not yet approved the proposed remuneration or professional development allowance changes.