DPI/DSE staff sackings in the North East

We are advised by our State member, Bill Sykes, says that the Bracks’ Government is re-thinking its savage cut back of DPI weed control staff. He says, “Local Landcare and Weed Action Group members’ strong support for front line DPI weed control staff who faced sacking, has caused the Bracks’ Government to re-think its decision.

Current proposals by DPI/DSE include the loss of front line positions at Ovens, Whitfield, Benalla and Euroa. which will threaten excellent local cooperative control programs for Patterson’s Curse, blackberries and pest animals.

The Whitfield Moyhu Weed Action Group, Warby Range Landcare and Rabbit Control Group and Bonnie Doon Community Group are amongst the groups who are extremely agitated by the Government walking away from successful cooperative programs. The government's alternative is to outsource the compliance component of the sacked DPI/DSE operatives with two overseeing staff members based at Wangaratta.

What becomes of the existing programs? More importantly, what about the human cost and the local knowledge. These DPI/DSE staff are career people who have spent their whole working life in this environment. Throwing them on the scrapheap in these small rural communities is not acceptable. Whilst the government learned the importance of local knowledge with the 2003 bushfires and modified the CFA culture accordingly, they seem to have forgotten that lesson with this proposal.

Bill Sykes points out that, “Only a few weeks ago Mr Thwaites proudly announced the retention of two wild dog management positions in North East Victoria. He then follows with the decision to sack at least 13 weed and pest animal field staff and relocate many others to more central locations.

A public meeting to discuss the effect of this decision will be held at the Whorouly Hall on Tuesday, 19th July. Representatives of the various community weed control groups and DPI/DSE staff will be there. You should be there too!