On Thursday 11 February 2021, the É«ÀÇÉçÇømet with NPWS Deputy Secretary Atticus Fleming, NPWS Executive Director Naomi Stephens, and industrial staff from DPIE. It was a very productive meeting in which the following issues were discussed.
Establishment review – unfunded roles and consequences for workload of members
The É«ÀÇÉçÇøraised concerns where NPWS had identified 100+ unfunded roles. The É«ÀÇÉçÇørequested NPWS provide the É«ÀÇÉçÇøwith these roles and locations. We were advised NPWS will seek advice and get back to the É«ÀÇÉçÇøwithin a few days. The É«ÀÇÉçÇøis of the view that if these identified roles were filled it would assist in reducing the workload and stress on our members
The Deputy Secretary (DS) acknowledged this increase in workload and advised the É«ÀÇÉçÇøthat it was doing what it could to minimise the impact on staff and support staff in dealing with the increases in workload.
Stimulus package
The É«ÀÇÉçÇøalso identified gaps in the recruitment of additional staff for the stimulus package across the state. By way of example the recruitment of all field staff for South Coast Branch (SCB) with no Ranger, Project Officer and Admin support. The DS advised that he would review the roles for SCB and provide additional administrative support where necessary. The É«ÀÇÉçÇøwas also advised that each area was asked for advice on stimulus package roles and provided the roles they required for their area to support the implementation of the package.
The DS has also given an undertaking that where the É«ÀÇÉçÇøcan identify shortfalls on roles to support the implementation of the stimulus package, particularly admin roles, NPWS would look at redirecting the stimulus funds to fill the gaps where possible.
The É«ÀÇÉçÇørequests members to provide the É«ÀÇÉçÇøwith advice on any areas where there are shortfalls on roles to support the implementation of the stimulus package (particularly admin roles). This can be done by emailing your NPVB delegates of such shortfalls.
Announcement of an additional four feral free enclosures
The É«ÀÇÉçÇørequested that with the announcement of $20 million for an additional four enclosures that meaningful consultation be had with the É«ÀÇÉçÇøin relation to the make-up of roles for this project. The DS indicated that recruitment for these projects would take place in March. He also indicated that such ‘science based projects’ would require the recruitment of additional science based roles to manage such projects. The enclosures would be solely managed by NPWS staff. Meetings with the É«ÀÇÉçÇøto discuss matters relating to this project will be undertaken in March.
Hazard Reduction Bushfire Response
co-ordination
The É«ÀÇÉçÇøalso sought advice on who would be preparing the additional burn plans to support the additional 120 fire fighters to meet the targets on burns. The Executive Director advised that funding had been provided and that three of the operational Branches had requested additional Rangers to write such plans. These Branches were each provided with two additional Rangers to draft the plans.
New Koala Reserves
The É«ÀÇÉçÇødiscussed a number of issues with the declaration of the new Koala reserves. The É«ÀÇÉçÇøasked that they be included in discussions on the detail and make-up of roles for the new reserves and for the management of the reserves. The DS advised that he would be happy to convene a meeting to discuss such issues.
Your É«ÀÇÉçÇøDelegates and Industrial staff
Michael Sinclair,
É«ÀÇÉçÇøIndustrial Officer
Kim de Govrik
É«ÀÇÉçÇøOrganiser