Council employees endorse new Enterprise Agreement
Published on 09 October 2026
West Wimmera Shire Council employees have endorsed a new four-year Enterprise Agreement, providing a clear framework for pay and conditions over the term of the agreement.
The agreement includes annual pay increases, enhanced parental leave provisions and increases to a range of allowances.
Council Chief Executive Officer David Bezuidenhout said the agreement provides a fair and sustainable outcome for employees while supporting Council’s responsible management of public funds.
“This agreement recognises the important contribution our employees make to the West Wimmera community,” he said.
“It delivers improvements across a range of pay and employment conditions and provides certainty for employees and Council over the next four years.
“I thank our employees and Bargaining Committee members for their constructive participation throughout the negotiations and their contribution to reaching this outcome.”
The employee vote follows a detailed bargaining process in which a range of proposals and workplace matters were considered.
To clarify the outcome of one matter discussed during negotiations, personal income protection insurance is not included in the new Enterprise Agreement.
The Australian Services Union referred this matter to the Fair Work Commission, which found that personal income protection insurance was not an entitlement under the existing Enterprise Agreement.
Workplace culture was also raised during bargaining.
Council invited further information so that any specific concerns could be considered through the appropriate channels, but no further details were provided.
Council remains committed to maintaining a positive, supportive and respectful workplace and to responding appropriately to any concerns raised.
“Council carefully considered the matters raised during bargaining and remained focused on maintaining essential services for the community while achieving a fair and sustainable agreement,” Mr Bezuidenhout said.
“Benchmarking undertaken during the negotiations indicates that the pay and conditions in the new agreement compare favourably with those offered by similar councils across Victoria.”
“The strong employee support for the agreement provides a positive foundation for moving forward together and continuing to deliver high-quality services to our community.”
The endorsement vote concludes the bargaining stage of the process.
Council will now submit the Enterprise Agreement to the Fair Work Commission for approval.
Subject to that approval, the agreement will provide a clear and stable framework for employee pay and conditions throughout its four-year term.