❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks information about an abandoned Water Corporation restructure, including reasons, costs, and potential alternatives. The answer reveals the restructure was halted to avoid job losses and regional impact, with a focus shifted to a Business Improvement Program.
AnsweredQoN 1665Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I understand that a proposed restructure of the Water Corporation that was planned to commence in early February 2004 has been abandoned -
(1) Who took the decision to abandon the restructure?
(2) What was the aim or intent of the proposed restructure?
(3) Why was the restructure program abandoned, particularly so close to its proposed implementation date?
(4) What would have been the result of the proposed restructure in terms of the abolition of jobs and the impact in the regions?
(5) Can the aim or intent of the proposed restructure be achieved by other means?
(6) If so, what are these means?
(7) What was the cost of developing the proposed restructure?
(8) Will a different restructure be implemented?
(9) If so, -
(a) what format will that take;
(b) when will it be implemented;
(c) what will it cost; and
(d) what will be the impact in the regions?
(1) Who took the decision to abandon the restructure?
(2) What was the aim or intent of the proposed restructure?
(3) Why was the restructure program abandoned, particularly so close to its proposed implementation date?
(4) What would have been the result of the proposed restructure in terms of the abolition of jobs and the impact in the regions?
(5) Can the aim or intent of the proposed restructure be achieved by other means?
(6) If so, what are these means?
(7) What was the cost of developing the proposed restructure?
(8) Will a different restructure be implemented?
(9) If so, -
(a) what format will that take;
(b) when will it be implemented;
(c) what will it cost; and
(d) what will be the impact in the regions?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
30 March 2004
Responded by
Minister for Government Enterprises
Response time
28 days
(b) when will it be implemented; (c) what will it cost; and (d) what will be the impact in the regions?
(c) what will it cost; and (d) what will be the impact in the regions?
(d) what will be the impact in the regions?
3&4 The Board of the Water Corporation decided that there should be no loss of jobs and no relocation of jobs from the country to Perth. It was recognised that with continuing growth in the number of services, increasing regulatory standards and the need to respond to drought, the challenge for the Corporation was to do more with existing resources not reduce the number of people. In addition the Corporation’s strong regional presence was viewed as playing an important part in the Corporation’s current and future success. 5&6 The Business Improvement Program looked at the systems, structure and processes of the Corporation. The Corporation is strengthening functional lines of accountability and improving processes while retaining existing line management responsibilities. 7. The Business Improvement Program considered opportunities to improve the systems, structure and processes of the Water Corporation. Total expenditure for the Business Improvement Program as at 25 February 2004 was $2.077 million. The direct costs associated with the program was $1.063 million with the remaining costs attributed to internal expenditure such as salaries and administration costs, which are already included in the budget for this financial year. Initial savings in excess of $2 million achievable this financial year have been identified in areas such as consultancy, travel and conferences and research and development. Potential savings in future years associated with process improvements are still being assessed, however it is likely that savings significantly in excess of the $2 million already identified will be achieved. 8. No 9. Not Applicable
In addition the Corporation’s strong regional presence was viewed as playing an important part in the Corporation’s current and future success. 5&6 The Business Improvement Program looked at the systems, structure and processes of the Corporation. The Corporation is strengthening functional lines of accountability and improving processes while retaining existing line management responsibilities. 7. The Business Improvement Program considered opportunities to improve the systems, structure and processes of the Water Corporation. Total expenditure for the Business Improvement Program as at 25 February 2004 was $2.077 million. The direct costs associated with the program was $1.063 million with the remaining costs attributed to internal expenditure such as salaries and administration costs, which are already included in the budget for this financial year. Initial savings in excess of $2 million achievable this financial year have been identified in areas such as consultancy, travel and conferences and research and development. Potential savings in future years associated with process improvements are still being assessed, however it is likely that savings significantly in excess of the $2 million already identified will be achieved. 8. No 9. Not Applicable
5&6 The Business Improvement Program looked at the systems, structure and processes of the Corporation. The Corporation is strengthening functional lines of accountability and improving processes while retaining existing line management responsibilities. 7. The Business Improvement Program considered opportunities to improve the systems, structure and processes of the Water Corporation. Total expenditure for the Business Improvement Program as at 25 February 2004 was $2.077 million. The direct costs associated with the program was $1.063 million with the remaining costs attributed to internal expenditure such as salaries and administration costs, which are already included in the budget for this financial year. Initial savings in excess of $2 million achievable this financial year have been identified in areas such as consultancy, travel and conferences and research and development. Potential savings in future years associated with process improvements are still being assessed, however it is likely that savings significantly in excess of the $2 million already identified will be achieved. 8. No 9. Not Applicable
7. The Business Improvement Program considered opportunities to improve the systems, structure and processes of the Water Corporation. Total expenditure for the Business Improvement Program as at 25 February 2004 was $2.077 million. The direct costs associated with the program was $1.063 million with the remaining costs attributed to internal expenditure such as salaries and administration costs, which are already included in the budget for this financial year. Initial savings in excess of $2 million achievable this financial year have been identified in areas such as consultancy, travel and conferences and research and development. Potential savings in future years associated with process improvements are still being assessed, however it is likely that savings significantly in excess of the $2 million already identified will be achieved. 8. No 9. Not Applicable
8. No 9. Not Applicable
9. Not Applicable
(c) what will it cost; and (d) what will be the impact in the regions?
(d) what will be the impact in the regions?
3&4 The Board of the Water Corporation decided that there should be no loss of jobs and no relocation of jobs from the country to Perth. It was recognised that with continuing growth in the number of services, increasing regulatory standards and the need to respond to drought, the challenge for the Corporation was to do more with existing resources not reduce the number of people. In addition the Corporation’s strong regional presence was viewed as playing an important part in the Corporation’s current and future success. 5&6 The Business Improvement Program looked at the systems, structure and processes of the Corporation. The Corporation is strengthening functional lines of accountability and improving processes while retaining existing line management responsibilities. 7. The Business Improvement Program considered opportunities to improve the systems, structure and processes of the Water Corporation. Total expenditure for the Business Improvement Program as at 25 February 2004 was $2.077 million. The direct costs associated with the program was $1.063 million with the remaining costs attributed to internal expenditure such as salaries and administration costs, which are already included in the budget for this financial year. Initial savings in excess of $2 million achievable this financial year have been identified in areas such as consultancy, travel and conferences and research and development. Potential savings in future years associated with process improvements are still being assessed, however it is likely that savings significantly in excess of the $2 million already identified will be achieved. 8. No 9. Not Applicable
In addition the Corporation’s strong regional presence was viewed as playing an important part in the Corporation’s current and future success. 5&6 The Business Improvement Program looked at the systems, structure and processes of the Corporation. The Corporation is strengthening functional lines of accountability and improving processes while retaining existing line management responsibilities. 7. The Business Improvement Program considered opportunities to improve the systems, structure and processes of the Water Corporation. Total expenditure for the Business Improvement Program as at 25 February 2004 was $2.077 million. The direct costs associated with the program was $1.063 million with the remaining costs attributed to internal expenditure such as salaries and administration costs, which are already included in the budget for this financial year. Initial savings in excess of $2 million achievable this financial year have been identified in areas such as consultancy, travel and conferences and research and development. Potential savings in future years associated with process improvements are still being assessed, however it is likely that savings significantly in excess of the $2 million already identified will be achieved. 8. No 9. Not Applicable
5&6 The Business Improvement Program looked at the systems, structure and processes of the Corporation. The Corporation is strengthening functional lines of accountability and improving processes while retaining existing line management responsibilities. 7. The Business Improvement Program considered opportunities to improve the systems, structure and processes of the Water Corporation. Total expenditure for the Business Improvement Program as at 25 February 2004 was $2.077 million. The direct costs associated with the program was $1.063 million with the remaining costs attributed to internal expenditure such as salaries and administration costs, which are already included in the budget for this financial year. Initial savings in excess of $2 million achievable this financial year have been identified in areas such as consultancy, travel and conferences and research and development. Potential savings in future years associated with process improvements are still being assessed, however it is likely that savings significantly in excess of the $2 million already identified will be achieved. 8. No 9. Not Applicable
7. The Business Improvement Program considered opportunities to improve the systems, structure and processes of the Water Corporation. Total expenditure for the Business Improvement Program as at 25 February 2004 was $2.077 million. The direct costs associated with the program was $1.063 million with the remaining costs attributed to internal expenditure such as salaries and administration costs, which are already included in the budget for this financial year. Initial savings in excess of $2 million achievable this financial year have been identified in areas such as consultancy, travel and conferences and research and development. Potential savings in future years associated with process improvements are still being assessed, however it is likely that savings significantly in excess of the $2 million already identified will be achieved. 8. No 9. Not Applicable
8. No 9. Not Applicable
9. Not Applicable
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