Hon Jim Scott questions the closure of Agriculture WA offices in Pinjarra and Harvey, inquiring about reasons, financial savings, impact assessments, service delivery, and concerns from rural shires regarding the relocation to Waroona.

AnsweredQoN 274Legislative Council
Asked
23 October 2001
Portfolio
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

QuestionView source ↗

In relation to the closure of the Pinjarra and Harvey offices of Agriculture WA -
(1) What are the reasons that these two offices are to be closed?
(2) If there are financial considerations what are the projected savings?
(3) Were any social or economic impact assessments done on the closure of the two offices and relocation to one office in Waroona and if so will the Minister table the studies?
(4) Has the Department carried out research to identify if the same level of support can be given to farmers and horticulturalists from Waroona and if so will the Minister table the research?
(5) Has the Minister received any correspondence from rural shires concerned about the office closures?
(6) If yes, what were their concerns and how has the Minister promised to rectify those concerns?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
6 November 2001
Responded by
Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Response time
14 days
(2) $50,000 to $100,000 (3) No formal studies were conducted, however, staff and service delivery factors were incorporated in the decision to relocate to Waroona. (4) No report dealing with the issue is available to be tabled. (5) Yes (6) The main concerns related to maintaining service delivery in the Shires of Murray and Harvey. There was also concern that the office at Waroona could not adequately accommodate the staff. A proposal to refurbish Harvey and relocate Pinjarra to the nurses' quarters was explored. The Waroona option offers a better solution by integrating staff from two locations without disrupting service delivery. The Waroona Shire also strongly supported the relocation. Architectural plans show that the Waroona office will accommodate the staff.
(3) No formal studies were conducted, however, staff and service delivery factors were incorporated in the decision to relocate to Waroona. (4) No report dealing with the issue is available to be tabled. (5) Yes (6) The main concerns related to maintaining service delivery in the Shires of Murray and Harvey. There was also concern that the office at Waroona could not adequately accommodate the staff. A proposal to refurbish Harvey and relocate Pinjarra to the nurses' quarters was explored. The Waroona option offers a better solution by integrating staff from two locations without disrupting service delivery. The Waroona Shire also strongly supported the relocation. Architectural plans show that the Waroona office will accommodate the staff.
(4) No report dealing with the issue is available to be tabled. (5) Yes (6) The main concerns related to maintaining service delivery in the Shires of Murray and Harvey. There was also concern that the office at Waroona could not adequately accommodate the staff. A proposal to refurbish Harvey and relocate Pinjarra to the nurses' quarters was explored. The Waroona option offers a better solution by integrating staff from two locations without disrupting service delivery. The Waroona Shire also strongly supported the relocation. Architectural plans show that the Waroona office will accommodate the staff.
(5) Yes (6) The main concerns related to maintaining service delivery in the Shires of Murray and Harvey. There was also concern that the office at Waroona could not adequately accommodate the staff. A proposal to refurbish Harvey and relocate Pinjarra to the nurses' quarters was explored. The Waroona option offers a better solution by integrating staff from two locations without disrupting service delivery. The Waroona Shire also strongly supported the relocation. Architectural plans show that the Waroona office will accommodate the staff.
(6) The main concerns related to maintaining service delivery in the Shires of Murray and Harvey. There was also concern that the office at Waroona could not adequately accommodate the staff. A proposal to refurbish Harvey and relocate Pinjarra to the nurses' quarters was explored. The Waroona option offers a better solution by integrating staff from two locations without disrupting service delivery. The Waroona Shire also strongly supported the relocation. Architectural plans show that the Waroona office will accommodate the staff.

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