Reprieve for Research Stations

Date: 22 July 2004

The Public Service Association has reached an in principle agreement with the NSW Department of Primary Industry that puts a moratorium on the closure of agricultural research stations in Grafton, Gosford, Deniliquin and Temora.

"This is a good result for the staff in those affected areas and one that guarantees any future decisions on relocations will have to stand up to public scrutiny", PSA Assistant General Secretary Shane O'Brien said today.

The agreement has resulted from over three months of negotiation and will be put to PSA members for consideration next week.

Key features of the agreement are:

• A general call for expressions of interest in voluntary redundancy across DPI to achieve savings targets.
• A requirement for Rural Community Impact Statements to be provided to the PSA prior to any decision to relocate or consolidate DPI operations.
• A requirement to undertake an analysis of costs, benefits and impacts of alternative proposals for consolidation of DPI operations.

"We believe there is a significant number of staff who are wanting to volunteer for redundancy. If our estimates are correct then the savings targets outlined in the Mini Budget and Budget will be met without having to close down any facilities or relocate any families", Mr O'Brien said.

"We have been able to keep people working in their own town and at the same time avoided large job losses in individual communities while still meeting the Budget bottom line", Mr O'Brien said.

Whilst pleased with the result Mr O'Brien said there was still much to do to keep Government services in country NSW.

"This is just the start of the fight, Treasury wants another $21million out of DPI next year. Country communities have to voice their concerns to the State Government or they will continue to lose Government Services", Mr O'Brien said.

A rally in support of Country Services will be held outside Parliament House, Sydney on Tuesday, August 31st 2004.

For further details contact Shane O'Brien on 0418 227 977.

For further information

Contact:	Shane O'Brien
Union:	Public Service Association of NSW
Phone:	02 9220 0931
Contact Mobile:	0418 227 977
Email:	sobrien@psa.asn.au
WWW:	http://psa.labor.net.au/

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