General News
27 October, 2026
Council wages up by $10m
A $10 million increase in employment costs at Cairns Regional Council in the last financial year have been attributed to wage rises, additional staff and the $472m Cairns water security project, despite the annual report showing an increase of just eight full-time employees.
Total staff costs rose to $139.6m from $129.7m in 2024-25, while staffing levels increased by just eight to 1271.
A council spokeswoman said employee numbers reported in the annual report were “a point-in-time snapshot as at 30 June, while employee benefits reflect workforce costs across the full financial year, including temporary, casual and seasonal workforce requirements”.
“Staff numbers vary depending on projects being undertaken throughout the year and services being provided.
“For example, staff recruitment and training occurred throughout 2025/26 in preparation for the additional CWSS1 water treatment plant which will operate 24/7.
“The increase in employee benefit expenses is driven by a mix of staff numbers, wage increases under council’s Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) across a workforce of more than 1200 employees, together with associated employment costs, including superannuation and leave entitlements.
“For additional context, council also continued to reduce its reliance on agency labour by filling vacancies with permanent employees.”
Mayor Amy Eden told last week’s council meeting that council spent $3.5m less on temporary employees.
“The 2025-26 Enterprise Bargaining Agreement provided for a 7.2% increase in wages, total employee costs, including agency labour, (but it) increased by 6.7%,” she said.
“At the same time, council substantially reduced its reliance on the more expensive agency staff.
“Agency expenditure fell from $10.7m in 2023 to $7.2m in the 25-26 year, as vacancies in the permanent workforce reduced and more positions were filled permanently.
“So, the story is not simply that employee costs increased, but the fuller story is that council carried a higher permanent workforce cost while reducing its dependence on a more expensive temporary workforce.”
Cr Eden has justified her lower attendance at council workshops by explaining her wider role for the local government authority across a wide list of engagements.
She attended 140 of the 211 workshops, the second lowest after Cr Rob Pyne (130), according to the annual report.
Workshops are generally held weekly on a Wednesday and are informal, non-decision-making sessions attended by councillors, the chief executive officer and relevant council officers.
They provide an opportunity for councillors to receive information, discuss key council projects, operations, strategies and emerging issues and participate in training and development activities, as well as frank discussions behind closed doors.
No decisions are made and matters requiring council resolution are progressed through the formal committee and ordinary meeting processes.
Cr Eden said that “as Mayor, my responsibilities require me to represent Cairns at meetings, functions, advocacy engagements and community events outside this chamber – and that can sometimes mean stepping out of workshops”.
“Across the year, I attended 18 out of the 19 ordinary meetings, where formal council decisions are made, including 10 of the 11 budget workshops,” she said.
“Those figures form an important part of the record and I’m comfortable with them being there.”
Cr Matthew Tickner attended the most workshops (203), followed by Cr Cathy Zeiger (180), Cr Anna Middleton and Cr Brett Moller (177), Cr Rhonda Coghlan (176), Cr Brett Olds (175), Cr Trevor Tim (169) and Cr Kristy Vallely (160).
Cr Eden was the only councillor not to spend any of her $100,000 discretionary allowance, which provides for projects outside the normal budget process. Every other councillor spent their $100,0000 allocation.
Cr Eden said the annual report reflected a council focused on delivery, financial discipline and planning for growth.
“This report is the story of a council getting on with the job,” she said.
“We are delivering the everyday services our community relies on, while progressing the major infrastructure and planning work Cairns needs for the future.”
Cr Eden said council was also reducing debt levels.
