Mega-buck loss for Gympie

GYMPIE will lose millions of dollars a year, plus a massive economic flow-on, as a direct result of moves to shift more than 100 government jobs to Maroochydore and Caboolture.

Staff at Gympie's Transport and Main Roads Department office, which employs about 130 people, were told on Wednesday of plans to close down the design section and cut staff numbers in Gympie to about 18. However, a department spokesperson said there would be no forced relocations from the area.

T he Gympie Times understands that those at the meeting were asked if any would volunteer to be transferred to Maroochydore, but no hands were raised.

Government information at the meeting indicated an intention to close the design section by 2010, despite indications that at least 90 per cent of Gympie staff do not want to move.

The information also seems to negate earlier assurances from former Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt, who said in Gympie that he was not in the business of forcing people to transfer south, when it was likely that future growth would require bringing them back.

A Transport and Main Roads Department spokesperson yesterday denied any intention to close the department's Gympie office, to force any employee to relocate, or to cut overall job numbers “in the Gympie/Sunshine Coast area”.

“Following the outcomes of local government reform, there was a need for the Department of Transport and Main Roads to review its regional boundaries,” the spokesperson said.

“It provided the department with the opportunity to consider how it can deliver more effectively within the high growth areas of South East Queensland.

“The department's North Coast Region will transition to a Sunshine Coast office at Maroochydore, and a Moreton office at Caboolture. This will occur over several years. The Gympie community will retain a road support network and the Gympie office will continue operating as part of the new Wide Bay/Burnett region. No permanent employees will lose their jobs, no-one will be forced to relocate and we will strive to provide meaningful and productive positions at Gympie for those who do not wish to relocate.”