NSW Public Works bulletin

NSW Public Works bulletin – November 2015 (PDF version)

Following the all staff briefing held on 5 November, the PSA met with DFSI through the Public Works Consultative Working Party Committee on Thursday 12 November.

The PSA raised a number of issues at the meeting. The following questions were submitted formally, and the Department has committed to respond to writing.

1. Staff would like clarity around the new Restructure Plan as soon as possible, so members can engage and plan their futures. Can the Department give a specific timeframe for the release of the DRMP?
2. What is the Department’s strategy around job swaps?
3. Can it confirm that individual management plans are to be formed for each business unit impacted by the restructure?
4. PSA members need clarity around employment options for staff who have accepted a VR and who find employment in the private sector on public projects within the 12 month period. Will this affect their VR payment?
5. What efforts are being taken by senior DFSI Management to keep work in the Department for staff under review?
6. Could the Government Architect’s Office (GAO) be relocated to another Department, where its role in government could be better appreciated and understood, i.e. Premiers or the Arts?
7. How will the personnel for the new GAO Strategic Unit be selected and by whom? Who can apply for one of these jobs?
8. As GAO will be wound down and closed this financial year, will the Department offer earlier training so staff can be better placed to manage the transition into the private sector?
9. What will happen to staff that don’t fit into a new role within government? Will they be offered a redundancy?
10. What staff numbers have been targeted for redundancy in GAO?
11. Has a budget for redundancies been set?

The PSA will communicate any response to members. If you have further questions you would like answered, please contact PSA Industrial Advocate Matthew Drake-Brockman at

The Department has maintained that all procedures will be in line with both the:

1. Agency Change Management Guidelines (PDF)

2. Managing Excess Employees policy (PDF)

The PSA will support members throughout this process.

Whilst the PSA remains committed to continuing consultation through the working party, it is vital that we put pressure on the decision maker, the NSW Government. As such, members are invited to participate in a brief survey which asks a series of questions about the effects outsourcing and the selling off of Public Works will have on the community. This survey will assist in determining what action members are prepared to take.

The survey can be taken at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PublicWorksTransformation