The Government’s squeeze on funding public services will see a hollowing out of the Department of Conservation’s Regional Operations teams around the country.

In a change proposal released today, DOC is proposing to use natural attrition to cut 68 team leader level roles over the next few years, about five per cent of the 1350-strong Regional Operations workforce.

Of the 68 roles, 29 are already vacant and 39 staff in other roles will not be replaced when they leave.

DOC worked with the PSA to manage the proposed change to ensure every current staff member could continue to have a job.

Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said the proposal will see a hollowing out of DOC’s regional conservation capability over time.

"The proposals would see DOC lose valuable skills and knowledge across the country.

"The changes are being forced on DOC to do more within the Government’s overly tight funding for conservation. We should be investing more, not less, in conservation in regional New Zealand. The Government has chosen to fund tax breaks for landlords over properly funding vital conservation work.

"The Government talks a big game about growing the economy yet wants to shackle DOC, which plays such an important role in boosting tourism, our second biggest export earner.

"The PSA is concerned that the reduction in the number of roles over time may see the remaining staff carrying a higher workload," Fitzsimons said.

The proposal said the approach would save $5 million from DOC’s regional operations budget of $170 million.

© Scoop Media