MBRC addresses ‘lean’ staffing levels identified in Grassroots Report
Published 03 December 2019
Moreton Bay Regional Council today approved a targeted recruitment plan to address the staffing shortfalls identified by Grassroots Connections Australia.
Forty-nine roles will be filled this financial year, with an additional 104 positions identified for the incoming council to consider in its 2020/21 budget.
Mayor Allan Sutherland said even with this recruitment plan, it is expected that Moreton Bay Regional Council will still have one of the lowest staff to resident ratios in South East Queensland.
The Grassroots Report acknowledges a lean council has delivered game-changing projects like the Moreton Bay Rail Link and new university to the region.
“The Report highlighted that we are completely under-resourced compared to similar sized councils and that our lower-than-average staffing levels posed a risk to council’s service quality for the community,” Cr Sutherland said.
“This has contributed to organisational instability as well as our ability to attract and retain quality staff.
“We have over 100 less staff now than we did eight financial years ago, however it is simply not sustainable when our population has increased by almost 100,000 and rateable properties 35,000 since 2008.
“This combined with growth in our capital budget of almost $50 million since 2010-11 to $227 million this year, requires the appropriate level of staffing to deliver additional community infrastructure.
“There is no doubt Moreton Bay Regional Council is fortunate to have some of the best staff in the State, but as one of Queensland’s fastest growing regions it’s simply unrealistic to think we can continue to provide an ever-broadening range of services.
“We need new recruits to meet community expectations.
“Today’s announcement is an investment in our dedicated employees and will help to deliver better services for our community.”
The Grassroots Connections report, released in September, highlighted that Moreton Bay Regional Council had the least number of staff per capita and the lowest employee costs per capita when compared to Logan, Ipswich, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Redland councils.
“I’m pleased council has unanimously endorsed the recommendations put forward by our senior officers,” Mayor Sutherland said.
Council’s strong financial position meant it was able to afford the additional staff.
“All operational costs associated with the additional 2019/20 positions will be accommodated within the current financial year’s existing salaries and wages budget,” he said.
“Council’s long-term financial forecast also reinforces that council is in a very sound financial position to further address staffing levels as part of the 2020/21 budget and get the balance right.”