色狼社区Community Services update for Northern NSW, Mid North Coast and New England
5 May 2026
The quarterly Joint Consultative Committee meeting (JCC) for Community Services was held on the 30 March for Northern NSW, Mid North Coast and New England and was attended by the Public Service Association (PSA), your elected delegates and Department of Communities and Justice of New South Wales (DJC) leadership where discussions continued regarding a few of the key points below.
Working from home office allowance
The 色狼社区have requested that members to be paid the award allowance for working from home when an office is not available. We have requested this for Ballina Community Service Centre, Queensland interstate Team (QIT) and New England sites. It been incredibly frustrating for our delegates who have been pushing for a response to this for way too long. 色狼社区have been provided conflicting information as to what has been approved and not. Acting Executive District Director (a/EDD) Jude Townsend has taken this matter on notice to and will provide an answer out of session. Last week the 色狼社区have written to a/EDD requesting an update. Crickets…
S91B responses
DCJ have stated that this is a statewide issue and while we agree that it needs to be dealt at a state level, the 色狼社区wanted to know how the workload to complete these was being managed in the district. The a/EDD said that this has not been brought to her attention whilst in her position at a/EDD and Director and acknowledged that there is a significant impact on workloads. As this issue has been on the agenda for a while, the 色狼社区has agreed to seek an update from our members as to how the workload is being managed in the district.
The 色狼社区requests Manager Casework to reach out to your Regional Organiser Rebecca Reilly with an update as to the current workload and how it鈥檚 being managed at your Community Service Centre?
Flexible Work Policy
The 色狼社区have been requesting a clear definition of 鈥渇rontline鈥 staff as mentioned in the Flexible work Policy. The 色狼社区was promised by EDD Nicola Jeffers over a year ago that cascading information will come from the Deputy Secretary. This has not eventuated and has resulted in our members being confused and management throwing out the line when it suits them to deny Working from Home (WFH) as staff in Child Protection are front line. Human Resources (HR) have taken an action to seek a definitive statewide advice regarding this policy in relation to Child Protection and Permanency (CPP). The 色狼社区asked a/EDD to write to staff and clarify that the direction to work 9 to 5 was not correct and staff are entitled to their Flexible Working as per the award.
Fuel costs 鈥 supporting staff
Many of our members travel a reasonable distance to get to work and so fuel has a significant impact in the regions with no public transport. 色狼社区asked how the district was supporting their staff increased flexibility. EDD and HR advised that they are awaiting further advice from the Deputy Secretary regarding contingency plans and state level support. In the meantime, a/EDD and HR haven encouraged staff to reach out to your MCS and request an individual flexible arrangements. If this is not supported then contact the PSA.
Staff in long term acting positions
Concerns raised for our members in long term acting positions regarding talent pools expiring and paused recruitment processes. 色狼社区asked HR to confirm whether eligibility lists can be extended. HR to provide advice on talent pool extensions and MCW/MCS recruitment timelines.
Minutes from these meetings will no longer be linked to bulletins, your delegate has a copy and if they are not being sent to you contact them and ask to be put on their list.
色狼社区Regional Organisers
Stephen Mears
Mik Smart
Rebecca Reilly