DEECA’s questionable decline in operating hours
The Government’s Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) offices, formerly known as DELWP has slashed the opening hours of its offices, with some Gippsland offices listed as temporarily closed.
The move comes off the back of the departments shocking trend of rising expenses and excessive executive recruitments highlighted in the 2021-22 DELWP Annual Report.
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Public Land Use and The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath said under the Andrews Government, DEECA (DELWP) had increasingly become a top heavy and costly bureaucracy that lacked transparency.
“Prior to DEECA’s reduced office hours, the number of executives within the department had tripled over the last six years and total expenses doubled.
“The 2021/2022 annual report shows executive numbers in Melbourne increased by a further 15 per cent, despite 24 recorded executive separations, in contrast the number of field staff was reduced by a further 1.5 per cent.
“Now we have the diabolical situation of the Andrews Government reducing public accessibility to DEECA offices.”
DEECA’s website shows in Gippsland the Traralgon office is now only open four days a week for limited hours, the Ellinbank office is open only a few hours each morning, East Gippsland DEECA offices are all part time, and the Erica and Heyfield offices are listed as ‘temporarily closed’.
“In a regional area where people need access to information on state forests, domestic firewood collection, forest fire management, agriculture, seasonal track closures, fishing and game licences and camp site information – it’s shocking Labor’s slashed access to services delivered through its regional offices,” said Ms Bath.
“In contrast Labor has tripled the number of DEWLP executives over the past six years, with 60 per cent of DELWP’s workforce calling Melbourne home.
“Regional Victorians need greater access to DEECA’s services, not a reduction in service.
“The ongoing theme of more suits and less boots highlights Labor’s disconnect with regional Victoria and a lack of accountability from the Andrews Government.”
“While local staff remain professional, they are hamstrung by Melbourne executives and Labor’s city centric mindset.
“Our natural environment requires active on the ground management and the community deserve a responsive service, not a closed shop.
“The decrease in DEECA’s operating hours will lead to significantly poorer outcomes for regional Victoria, I’m calling on the Andrews Government to reinstate operating hours of DEECA offices and deliver a full suite of support across regional Victoria.”