Council spends $250K on employee uniforms

BUNDABERG Regional Council spent more than $250,000 on uniforms for employees in the last financial year.

Council CEO Peter Byrne said the council had budgeted $300,000, but only $266,234 of that was spent.

Based on about 850 employees, that averaged out at about $300 each, he said.

Acting Mayor David Batt said employees who worked in council offices, or "inside" employees, were allowed to spend up to $700 on buying uniforms when they started work.

After that employees could spend up to $400 a year.

"If they only want three uniforms then that's what they buy," he said.

"If they want more than that they have to pay for it themselves."

Outside staff who had been at the council for more than 12 months were issued with five uniforms with logos, headwear and protective footwear.

Staff with less than 12 months service were issued two uniforms without logos.

Uniforms were replaced on a new for old basis.

Cr Batt said the expense was definitely justified.

"It's to do with our corporate image," he said.

"Every council in Queensland has their staff in uniforms."

Cr Batt said all major businesses in Bundaberg had their staff dress in corporate uniforms.

"This was a very conscious decision taken by the council that all our staff should have access to the regional uniforms," he said.

He said all four councils that were amalgamated to form Bundaberg Regional Council had uniforms for their staff.

Cr Batt said it was not compulsory for council staff to wear uniforms.

"We have a clothing policy that they should wear the appropriate clothing," he said.

Mr Byrne said councillors did not wear uniforms, but under the council's reimbursement policy they could buy a jacket with a logo.

The maximum they could spend was $500, but he was not aware that anybody had taken advantage of that.

Councillors did get issued with hard hats and protective boots.