The dispute between Coolamon Shire Council and a former employee was determined on the papers in the NSW Industrial Relations Commission. Photo: Google Maps.
A union lawyer has welcomed a recent state tribunal ruling that awarded a Riverina council worker $1400, saying the decision was about far more than the money for regional workers.
The man worked for Coolamon Shire Council (CSC) from 27 May 2024 to 27 June 2025, driving a mobile library around regional towns and generally working alone.
While the council said he shouldn’t be paid a first-aid allowance and a “camp out” allowance for nights he was required to stay away from home, his union disagreed.
The dispute ended up in the NSW Industrial Relations Commission.
In a decision published last week, Commissioner Christopher Muir found the worker was owed at least part of what he claimed in both categories.
United Services Union (USU) lawyer Stuart Geddes told Region the case began when the worker went to his union about his concerns.
He claimed the man, who Region has chosen not to name, raised the matter with the council several times.
“The main reason he ran it – because it’s not a lot of money – was about the fact that he felt the council wasn’t effectively complying with safety requirements,” he said.
“That was his biggest concern.”
In his decision, Commissioner Muir found that while the worker was not “expressly appointed” to carry out first-aid duties, his award meant the man had been appointed.
“[The] award requires the appointment of employees, in sufficient quantity in each workplace [to be able to administer first aid if it was needed],” he wrote in the decision.
Mr Geddes described the maintenance of first-aid kits as having been subject to “contentious” discussion.
He believes the recent decision will clarify the circumstances when workers can claim the entitlement, particularly when they maintain a first-aid kit in their workplace.
“This decision’s been helpful because it actually considers circumstances … [and] what the intention of that [provision in the award] is,” he said.
“It’s more about providing clarity and certainty.
“It’s particularly relevant for councils in remote or regional communities, which will have one-man or small crews out working.”
Commissioner Muir also awarded compensation for two nights the worker stayed at a caravan park cabin and brought his own food.
A bid for the allowance to cover a third instance (where the man slept in a hotel and ate food there) was denied.
All occasions were paid for through a CSC credit card.
Mr Geddes said USU felt this finding would have impacts for workers at regional or rural councils, who needed to stay away from home.
“It actually considers the notion that if you’re required to stay in a regional area – and not be provided with a meal and proper services – that they [the worker] should be able to receive the entitlement,” he said.
Region contacted Coolamon Shire Council for comment, but did not receive a response.
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