THE ACT government's Capital Metro light rail project could spend nearly $1 million over five years on a media manager to help sell the project to Canberrans.
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Two soon-to-be filled positions in the senior ranks of the massive project will take the weekly wages bill for the project to $24,000, a cost that includes eight positions already filled.
The public affairs manager - officially called the director of communications and stakeholder engagement - will be paid $174,313 to $183,538 a year to lead the public information campaign and report to project director Emma Thomas, who is reported to have a $382,000 annual package, and consult with Transport Minister Simon Corbell.
The pay rate was advised by human resource company Mercer
and cleared by the ACT Remuneration Tribunal.
Opposition transport spokesman Alistair Coe questioned the cost, saying the media manager's position was priced at $50,000 a year more than a senior registrar's pay at Canberra Hospital.
''The ACT government still has not adequately made the case for light rail, yet they are hiring people at very high salaries,'' Mr Coe said.
''Such priorities show that the government is simply interested in spinning this politically motivated $600 million commitment.''
The job description for the communications manager suggests someone at the top of their media career is required who does not mind having their contracts and performance agreements tabled in the Legislative Assembly.
Mr Corbell said it was vital the community was effectively engaged and informed throughout the project.
''This position will ensure it happens,'' he said.
''[This position] is critical in this stage, as in all stages of the project.''
The advertisement stipulates ''up to a five-year contract'', which is the standard terminology for senior ACT government executive positions.
Working under the communications director will be at least two others already hired - a stakeholder and community engagement staff member on $111,570 to $119,426 a year, and a person to deal with the media on $70,913 to $81,460 a year.
The Capital Metro project has also advertised for an executive director to lead procurement who also has the option of signing a five-year contract at $230,406 to $243,066 a year.
As previously reported, the first stage of the government's Capital Metro system is planned to run from Civic up Northbourne Avenue and then along Flemington Road to Gungahlin. Construction is expected to begin before the 2016 ACT election.