Creation of Department of Environment & Climate Change and the Abolition of the

Central Council, 18 June 2007

Report adopted

Following the March 2007 NSW election, the New South Wales Government abolished the Department of Natural Resources. Since 2003 the Department had gone through four name changes and three major restructures, including significant budget cuts.

In May 2007 the Government announced the creation of two new departments that would carry out the functions of the former DNR. The Department of Water and Energy would continue with the regulation of Water and would also pick up Energy functions from the abolished Department of Utilities, Energy and Sustainability (DEUS). The Department of Environment and Climate Change would continue to perform its previous functions as well as some functions from DPI Fisheries, DEUS, Premiers Department and DNR.

The subsequent orders issued by the Government stipulated that the DECC would continue in its previous format and would also pick up the functions of Native Vegetation Management for the State which covers approximately 300 members. The Department would also technically employ staff who work for the 13 Catchment Management Authorities around the State (CMAs are not employers in their own right, but have a Board that answers directly to the Minister and a General Manager who answers to the Director General of the DECC).

Consultation

During the first fortnight following the formation of DECC and abolition of DNR there was minimal consultation with the PSA, particularly from the DECC. On Friday 18th May a meeting was convened with the newly appointed Director General of Water & Energy, Mark Duffy, and senior management and the PSA which established a constructive working relationship and formal JCC arrangements.

On Monday 15th May 2007, the Director General of DECC, Ms Lisa Corbyn, issued by way of e-mail to all staff across the Department, structures that flowed down to the Unit Manager level. The PSA consequently imposed bans across the Department. Subsequently the PSA met with the Director General and also conducted discussions with Minister Koperberg's office in relation to lack of consultation A sub committee has now been formed that is dealing with the structures and agreement has been reached with the Department that the issued structures are draft only and subject to change pending the outcome of negotiations.

Subsequently the committee has been meeting on a weekly basis and is continuing to operate in a smooth and effective manner.

Corporate Services Staff

Of major concern to the PSA at the time of the abolition of DNR was the effect on Corporate Services staff employed within both the former DNR (approximately 150) as well as Corporate Services staff employed in the DECC (approximately 150). The Government subsequently decided to redeploy approximately 130 of the former DNR staff into the Department of Commerce which will sit as a homogenous unit like Business Link and CCSU within the Commerce umbrella.

Of particular concern is the fact that the DECC have only picked up around three additional staff to be redeployed within the Corporate Services Division, however this division will be asked to take on the work of 300 employees.

The newly created entity that sits within Commerce (no name has yet been given to this group) shall continue to provide transactional corporate services functions for the Department of Water & Energy and Department of Planning as well as for the staff employed within the Catchment Management Authorities (note, strategic corporate services, ie Industrial HR will be provided by the DECC).

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