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Highly paid city councillors will be able to keep their private jobs as well as spend around 40 hours a week running Christchurch.

Yesterday councillors and Mayor Garry Moore voted themselves hefty pay rises to reflect the amount of work they will be doing over the next three years.

The 12 councillors, including deputy mayor Carole Evans, will receive an annual salary of $78,760, up from between $46,000 and $66,000 that councillors received last term. Moore's annual salary is $143,236, up from $99,000. His salary is set by the Remuneration Authority, formerly the Higher Salaries Commission.

But a Christchurch residents group is doubtful they will have time to balance council work with other employment.

Graham Reddell, chairman of the Richmond Residents Neighbourhood Cottage, said: "In the past they have been able to do both. Many have chosen and wanted to have another job but they will have no show doing both jobs justice now."

The increased salaries have been made to compensate for the extra workload city councillors are expected to carry after the council was cut from 24 members to 12 plus Mayor Moore.

Running the city is now effectively a full-time job.

Councillors spoken to yesterday by the Christchurch Star agreed that the job would be more demanding than in the past.

Cr Bob Shearing said he was annoyed at all the focus on councillor's salaries. The workload is huge and would have councillors working far in excess of 40 hours a week, he said. "I am totally blown away with the amount of time we are required to put into this position. It is unlike any other job I have ever had."

Shearing, who has had his own contracting business for 30 years, plans to spend 95% of his time on council matters and the remainder in a directorship role with his business.

Cr Sue Wells was reluctant to talk about the issue. She said last council term she worked between 30 and 70 hours a week. A former radio announcer, Wells said she also did "part time commercial voices". She then referred the Star to her website for more information.

Cr Barry Corbett will decide by Christmas whether to continue his 15-hour a week job as communications manager at the City Mission. He spends 35 to 40 hours a week on council work.

Meanwhile, there is still conflict over the amount of money community board members will be paid.

Yesterday's council meeting decided members will be paid $20,000 and board chairpersons $32,500.

However, Hagley-Ferrymead Community Board member Yani Johanson felt $25,000 was more realistic. He also wanted the council to allow for members cell phones to be funded by ratepayers.

The council also confirmed Crs Wells, Corbett and Graham Condon as directors on the ratepayer-owned Christchurch City Holdings Ltd.