The PSA met with Resilience Management on Monday 4 April. In the meeting, management advised that a decision is yet to be made regarding re-establishing the Wollongbar Base Camp following it being washed out last week. Management stated that if this were to be the case, the base camp it would be on more stable ground.

The PSA advised that following our members’ experience over the past few weeks, the current arrangement is not appropriate either.

We stated that alternate accommodation should be found for staff. We added that if Resilience was to endeavour to reopen the Base Camp we would seek that a full risk assessment be undertaken and  provided to the PSA in advance.

We advised that our members were performing important work but are becoming increasingly fatigued as this operation continues and that a Base Camp should only ever be considered as a short-term measure. It is important, we said, that Resilience looks after the welfare of its staff, and that the current circumstances can lead good employees to reconsider their ongoing employment.

Management advised that there is the possibility of further accommodation becoming available as some employees from the Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue depart the camp. We hope this is an indication that Resilience is genuinely looking at appropriate accommodation for you.

The PSA did tell management that we would consider lodging a dispute with the Industrial Relations Commission if we were not satisfied with the outcome of the matter.

We further stated on  the importance of the work being conducted in support of the communities that have been devastated by the recent floods Resilience also needs to support our hard-working members in being able to perform their work safely.

To date we have had no further formal advice from Resilience. However, a meeting is scheduled for Thursday 7 April 2022.  We will continue to update from this meeting.