A plan reportedly cooked up by newly elected councillors at Shoalhaven Council to let up to 500 workers go will slash services in leisure centres and libraries in Nowra, Bomaderry, and Ulladulla says the union which represents the workers, the United Services Union.
Road and park maintenance will also suffer as well as waste and water services across the district as a result of the alleged plan by newly elected councillors.
The area was severely impacted by the 2019/20 ‘Black Summer’ bushfires which has had an ongoing impact on infrastructure, especially roads.
Overnight Shoalhaven Council CEO Robyn Stevens resigned reportedly after her alternative plans to deal with financial issues at the Council were at odds with new councillors’ determination to roll out a plan involving half the staff at the council leaving.
Cutting services will be a disaster for local families, says the USU’s Stuart Geddes.
“Frazzled local parents rely on rhyme time at the local library to give them a break, on local parks to be well kept and clean so kids can play outside in the sunshine off their phones,” said Mr Geddes.
“Letting 500 staff go will be a disaster for local families and these services they rely on.
“The roads in the Shoalhaven need constant maintenance to keep them safe, letting 500 staff go will make the roads dangerous.
“Staff at Shoalhaven Council are shocked to hear the news of the departure of the CEO, Robyn Stevens in what appears to be a political hit at the whim of the new elected council.
“It is disappointing to hear of Ms Steven’s departure, given that she has only been in the position for 10 months and was in the process of implementing a plan to improve the council’s financial situation.
“The interactions and engagement the union has had with the CEO has been overwhelmingly positive and the direction she was taking the council in with the current financial situation provided for significant savings while protecting operational and service jobs to insure a minimised impact on the community.
“It is a disgrace that recent reports have stated the current council intends to create cost savings by losing approximately half their work force, which will mean the council will contract out work which will lead to further costs and a decline in service.
“We believe that the actions that took place overnight will create a great level of uncertainty for all our members at this council.
“The community should also be concerned about what has happened in such a short time after the election of this council.
“The Minister for Local Government needs to take immediate action, intervene, and hold this dysfunctional council to account, given he cautioned councils not to push out General Managers and CEOs upon their elections.
“The community and the workers need to be protected from an ideological attack on their council staff and precious local services.”
