Where Is Your Money Going?

When you pay your council rates, you expect that money to go toward parks, roads, and bins. But in Kwinana, much of your cash is being swallowed up by a “Bureaucratic Fortress.”

While you elect nine Councillors to speak for you, the city is actually run by a CEO and three Directors. These unelected bosses manage multi-million dollar contracts and set the agendas. They are the “Gatekeepers” of information, yet their own paychecks are a mystery.

The “Bundling” Trick
Instead of clearly listing executive salaries and perks—like car allowances or bonuses—the Council hides these costs. They “bundle” them into huge categories like “General Administration” or “Employee Expenses.” This makes it impossible for you to see how much of your 4.5% rate hike is going straight into a Director’s pocket.

Who Do They Work For?
Because these bosses aren’t elected, they don’t answer to you. They often follow State Government goals instead of local values. Whether it’s shrinking your bins or pushing through developments the community hates, this administration often prioritizes “targets” over people.

It is time to stop the secrecy.
You deserve to know exactly how your money is spent.

The “Vague” Category	What Might Be Hidden Inside?	Why This Matters
General Administration	CEO salary, executive car allowances, and bonuses.	You can’t tell if the “bosses” got a raise while your services were cut.
Art & Culture Funding	Consultants and programs that may not align with local heritage.	It hides the true cost of “pet projects” that residents didn’t ask for.
Employee Expenses	“Bundled” salaries of hundreds of workers.	It stops you from seeing exactly what the top 4 people are being paid.

🙋 Checklist: 5 Questions to Ask Your Councillors

If you attend a meeting or email a representative, use these direct questions to break through the “Bureaucratic Fortress”:

1. On Transparency: “Why are individual Councillor votes not recorded by name in the minutes so we can see how our representatives actually voted?”
2. On Executive Pay: “Will the Council commit to publishing the CEO’s total remuneration package—including all benefits—as a clear, standalone line item?”
3. On the 4.5% Rate Hike: “Exactly what percentage of this year’s rate increase is going toward Executive Leadership salaries versus local road maintenance?”
4. On State vs. Local: “When the State Government sets ‘Infill Targets’ that threaten our bushland, why does the unelected administration prioritize those targets over the community’s wishes?”
5. On Accountability: “Since the Directors are not elected by us, what specific ‘Performance Indicators’ are they measured against, and are these public?”