National Parks and Wildlife Service: Meeting with Deputy Secretary NPWS - Public Service Association

National Parks and Wildlife Service: Meeting with Deputy Secretary NPWS

Meeting with Deputy Secretary NPWS (PDF version)

On Thursday 11 February 2021, the PSA met 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 PSA raised concerns where NPWS had identified 100+ unfunded roles. The PSA requested NPWS provide the PSA with these roles and locations. We were advised NPWS will seek advice and get back to the PSA within a few days. The PSA is 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 PSA that 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 PSA also 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 PSA was 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 PSA can 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 PSA requests members to provide the PSA with 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 PSA requested that with the announcement of $20 million for an additional four enclosures that meaningful consultation be had with the PSA in 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 PSA to discuss matters relating to this project will be undertaken in March.

Hazard Reduction Bushfire Response
co-ordination

The PSA also 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 PSA discussed a number of issues with the declaration of the new Koala reserves. The PSA asked 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 PSA Delegates and Industrial staff

Alex Deura

Anita Zubovic

Ben Owers

Bronwyn Batten

Cherie Shanks

Danny Corcoran

Janet Cavanaugh

Johan Ras

Naomi Goosen

Steve Carter

Michael Sinclair,
PSA Industrial Officer

Kim de Govrik
PSA Organiser

 

 

 

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