The National Parks Vocational Branch (NPVB) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday 12 November 2024. The AGM included the biennial ballot for a new Executive of the NPVB and team of NPWS delegates.

The PSA undertook the ballot and is pleased to announce the following results:

Chairperson Ben Owers
Vice-Chair Peter Mylan
Secretary Janet Cavanaugh
Treasurer Jacqueline Reid
Women’s Contact Officer Naomi Goosen
Park Programs Representative Andy Leach
Field Officer Representative Steve Carter
Additional Delegates Campbell Young, Anita Zubovic and Jules Bald

Two vacant positions were left at the end of the AGM. These were subsequently filled as casual vacancies at the end of the meeting, following confirmation that Aimee Poole would accept nomination as the Administration Staff Representative and Annie Thompson would accept nomination as the Aboriginal Staff Representative.

The PSA congratulates all elected delegates of the National Parks Vocational Branch.

The meeting was provided with an update from the PSA and discussed a range of issues:

PSA update

The NPVB Chair and Secretary have been meeting regularly with industrial staff from the department. This has been an extremely helpful forum and has resolved a range of issues.

The PSA is receiving queries from members regarding when they’ll get the pay rise negotiated by the PSA.

Backpay will be backdated to 1 July. The Department will provide staff details of when the pay rise and backpay will be paid.

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s (DCCEEW) draft Flexible Working Policy to increase levels of workplace presence generated a lot of concern among members in all parts of the Department, including those in the NPWS ‘head office’ roles. The PSA has heard that more than 1000 comments were received on the draft policy. DCCEEW is reviewing the comments and will continue to engage the PSA before any policy is rolled out.

 Uniform Working Group

After many years of advocating by the PSA, a new Nomex fire shirt is being rolled out. Each firefighter will initially be provided with two shirts. This is a win for the PSA!

Law enforcement in NPWS

The PSA is aware of concerns about the safety of Visitor Service Assistants undertaking compliance work on park and will follow up with meetings with staff at various locations.

A new compliance database has been promised that will make it easier to keep track of offenders and allow the issuing of fines electronically.

Ranger progression

The new Ranger progression system has been completed and is planned to be implemented next month. Training sessions in the use of the new system are being arranged. The new system is a significant improvement to the old system. There will be a review panel established and a PSA delegate will be on the panel. Much thanks should be given to the participants who sat on the review committee.

My Work Zone

The PSA is aware of a range of issues with the new myWorkZone system. These include (but are not limited to) calculating recreation and extended leave entitlements; claiming and payment of overtime; rostering patterns of hours and days; applying for leave on public holidays; payment of TAA; and claiming field allowance. The Department has been actively addressing members concerns as have been raised by the PSA.

However, the good news is that the SAP start mobile is very convenient and is working well.