Reforms on track for RLPBs
A more modern, responsive and efficient Rural Lands Protection Board (RLPB) system is on track to commence operations in just over six weeks, the State Council of RLPBs announced today.
Chairman David Lister said a number of significant administrative and structural targets had been met in recent months to ensure the 14 new consolidated board districts were up and running on 1 January 2009.
“Legislative changes, the recruitment of General Managers for the 14 new board districts and the formation of a new centralised administration unit and new IT infrastructure are all progressing well,” David Lister said.
“General Managers are expected to be appointed by the end of this month and recruitment has commenced for staff required for the new Administration and Finance Unit in Orange. An external payroll provider has been engaged and work in this area has begun.
“Guidelines for winding up existing boards and establishing the new entities have also been distributed and workshopped at a recent meeting for managers in Sydney.
“State Council has been working very closely with staff and unions as well as PricewaterhouseCoopers, who have brought invaluable change management experience to the reform process, to ensure the changes are handled as efficiently and as smoothly as possible.
“Local steering committees have also been established across the 14 new board districts to ensure local input is provided during the transition period.
David Lister added that servicing ratepayers remained a priority.
“Local offices in all existing RLPB districts will remain open and there will be no reduction in numbers of local field staff involved in animal health and pest work. As such the local knowledge, vigilance and expertise of our vets and rangers will be maintained.
“The reform process has generated significant interest and it is important to remember why it was necessary to adopt such far-reaching and significant changes.
“A number of boards were facing serious financial and operation difficulties, we needed to strengthen our biosecurity function and address the high cost of administration and unsustainable rate increases,” David Lister said.
Elections for new board positions, the establishment of a State Policy Council and State Management Council, the appointment of senior District Veterinarians and senior Rangers, and work relating to the future management of Travelling Stock Reserves (TSRs) will be undertaken throughout 2009.
MEDIA CONTACT: Kelly Ingham (02) 6391 3242 or Helen Gosper (02) 6391 3242