CONCERN is mounting that the NSW Department of Primary Industries’ (DPI) agricultural research effort is now under massive strain following the Government’s mini-Budget decision last week to close eight DPI facilities in the next three years.
Earmarked for closure last week are research and advisory stations at Gosford, Alstonville, Temora Condobolin, Griffith and Glen Innes, as well as the small advisory office at Berry, and the trout hatchery at Jindabyne.
Investigations show the scaling back of the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) started long before Premier Nathan Rees’ mini-Budget, released this month.
The Land’s latest Freedom of Information (FoI) request uncovered that 41 voluntary redundancies were accepted in the past 17 months by the DPI in the division responsible for agricultural research.
Almost $3 million will be paid to science research division staff.
Thirty four staff have taken redundancy since the start of July and the rest have agreed on departure dates.
How will the mini-Budget cuts affect you? See this week's The Land for full coverage.