Under the Act, the council could have voted to increase the annual fees of councillors from $14,540 to $15,120, and the mayor’s fee from $31,740 to $33,010.

However, on Tuesday night council decided to forego the pay rise, with Crs Joe Staltare and Pat Cox saying the next year was shaping as a particularly difficult one for a community hit by the drought.

“I think it’s only fair to the ratepayers, with the drought the way it is, that we leave it as it is,” Cr Staltare said.

“I was happy with the decision and all the councillors supported it so we went that way.”

Cr Cox said the council was conscious of the impact the extended period of drought was having on local families, farmers and businesses, as well as Griffith City Council’s own finances.

“It might only be a small amount in the overall council budget but I think it’s important that we recognise that we councillors are doing a community service,” she said.

“Because of the drought and the flow-on effects we have lost and are losing families from the community and I think that at this point we can be with the community and say on this occasion that we won’t take a pay rise.”

Cr Cox said councillors were not in the job for the money but to serve the community in any way they could.

“Most who stand for council do it out of a wish to contribute to the community and improve the community,” she said.