COUNCIL: 76 EXTRA GONE AS REDUNDANCIES BALLOON
TOWNSVILLE CITY Council has expanded its voluntary redundancy offers after 220 staff lodged applications to leave its workforce.
Last month, the council reported it had received 126 applications for voluntary redundancies, short of the 144 positions that were identified as needing to be cut.
The council then broadened its offer to other staff in a bid to avoid having to make forced redundancies.
The organisation has now approved 220 applications, with 154 staff having already been processed and 66 to be finalised in coming months.
Chief executive officer Adele Young said the additional applications did not mean the organisation was losing a further 76 jobs.
“Some of these staff will be replaced and positions will be filled internally wherever possible through either redeployment, retraining and upskilling,” she said.
“These are not 76 additional redundant positions. Some of these positions will be filled.”
The restructure, which was recommended in the Nous Report late last year, is expected to deliver about $ 14 million in savings.
Management positions have been reduced by 40 per cent.
“Council is making strong progress with what is the biggest reform in the organisation’s recent history,” Ms Young said.
“Opening up voluntary redundancies to staff in other areas of council meant we could accept applications from people who want to pursue other opportunities.”
The changeover was pushed back from July 3 to allow the council to consider other applications.
Ms Young said the systems to support the new structure were on target to be operational by July 17.
“Reducing the excessive labour hire and top- heavy management will considerably cut the wages cost for council,” she said.
“Council expects around $ 14 million in annual savings in wages from the restructure, along with $ 14 million in further efficiencies from improved procurement processes, light vehicle fleet review, while frontline services will remain unaffected.
“Council has given a commitment to put frontline services first.”
The total number of jobs cut will be determined in coming months.