REGIONAL development jobs in Orange could go by January next year, with the federal government flagging its intention to shut regional offices.
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According to Fairfax Media reports on Wednesday, an email sent to the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development’s 1200 employees on Monday indicated the regional offices’ work had been in decline for some time and the National Disaster Recovery Taskforce would conclude.
It said the expected takeover of Norfolk Island’s local democracy would not be enough to make up the shortfall.
“We are looking at various options to position the division to respond to these changes including the future viability of our regional and state based operations,” the message said.
“If we took this approach, the Hobart, Wollongong and Bendigo offices would close by 30 June 2015 and the Newcastle and Orange offices would close by 31 January 2016.”
The number of staff potentially affected at Orange is unclear, however the office is understood to have a small number of personnel.
Member for Calare John Cobb said he had heard rumours, but no decision had been taken on possible office closures.
He said he would be “telling them it’s a bad idea” and job losses were not what Orange needed.
“Not with what’s happened lately, although we knew Cadia jobs were going to go anyway,” he said.
“We don’t need any more job losses, but the Central West is one of the areas which is growing.”
Mr Cobb said if work was declining, staff should take care of regional building programs.