The general secretary of the Public Service Association has hit out at state government cuts to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service jobs.
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“Already 14 regional managers have been lost, and now 15 area managers, who also manage bushfires, will be cut as part of the restructure that has just been announced,” PSA general secretary Stewart Little said.
“This threat of reduced NPWS staff numbers is like a kick in the teeth, while every day they are struggling to do more with less.
“With visitor population increasing at roughly 39 million and growing at two million additional visitors for every two year period, it seems unconscionable that there has been such a lack of consultation, given the value of the service these public servants who provide the preservation of environment, heritage and culture that is invaluable for the community.”
Mr Little said the restructure is occurring in the lead up to the bushfire season, “when experienced planning should be in full swing”, and may impact the safety of visitors.
“In recent years, NPWS has downsized from 66 areas across the state to what will be just 35 under this latest restructure, with staffing reduced accordingly,” he said.
“National Parks’ staff are expert front line fire fighters protecting lives, private property, forestry, homes, pastures, the lot.
“The skills of these individuals are learned on the ground, not in a classroom, so it will take years to replace the knowledge we are once more about to lose.”
A May letter from Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton to Tanja’s Rod Llewelyn confirmed three Enhanced Bushfire Management Program Field Officers had been relocated to Eden in January to “enhance delivery of the program”, and improve “preparation for hazard reduction burns, maintenance of fire management trails”, and to make sure equipment is accessible.
Mr Llewelyn said the restructuring has failed to take into account the region’s “premier industry” tourism, and has weakened the bushfire fighting capabilities of the northern part of the shire.
“With all this money being spent in Sydney, they can’t afford a few jobs here, when they’ve doubled the size of the parks with the flora reserves,” he said.
“If there is a fire between Tathra and Bermagui, it will take them an hour to get there, let alone prepare.
“The basic principle of firefighting is the quicker you get to it, the easier it is to manage.”
“By cutting staff and moving equipment to a smaller depot on the border that didn’t have the infrastructure to support the equipment, means a new shed is being built, while a new one was built in Tanja just four years ago,” he said.
Former National Parks and Wildlife Service employee with 24 years of firefighting experience Steve Ryan also questioned the move of bushfire management staff to Eden.
Despite the restructuring, state Minister for Planning and Housing Anthony Roberts said during a visit to the region in July to launch a 20 year plan for the South East and Tablelands, the region’s “world-class network of national parks” are a key element of future tourism revenue.
An Office of Environment and Heritage spokesperson said a number of funding projects are in the workings for the region, including $950,000 for the maintenance of visitor facilities and upgrades of campgrounds, park signage and walk track maintenance, and $125,000 for the redevelopment of Pipers Lookout later this year, which will involve the removal of elevated structures and replacement of toilets.
“Funds have also been allocated for a number of ongoing local projects including over $290,000 for the South Service Agreement with South East Local Land Services to conduct vertebrate pest control and over $590,000 towards ongoing other pest and weed control programs,” the spokesperson said.