CSIRO Regional Footprint: CSIRO Regional Footprint: a steady declinea steady decline

Regional Site ClosuresRegional Site ClosuresClosed Regional SitesClosed Regional Sites Closed Regional Field StationsClosed Regional Field Stations Current SitesCurrent Sites

Ø Woodville, SAWoodville, SAØ Mount Gambier, Mount Gambier,

SASAØ Rendell laboratory, Rendell laboratory,

Rockhampton, Qld. Rockhampton, Qld. Ø McMaster McMaster

Laboratory, Laboratory, Prospect, N.S.W.Prospect, N.S.W.

Ø Gilruth plains, Gilruth plains, Cunnamulla, Qld. Cunnamulla, Qld.

Ø Yalanbee, Baker Hill W.A. Yalanbee, Baker Hill W.A. Ø Samford, QldSamford, QldØ Badgery's creek, Sydney, N.S.W.Badgery's creek, Sydney, N.S.W.Ø Longford, Armidale, N.S.W. Longford, Armidale, N.S.W. Ø Maribyrnong, Vic.Maribyrnong, Vic.Ø Werribee, Melbourne, Vic. Werribee, Melbourne, Vic. Ø Bryan Pastures, Biloela, QldBryan Pastures, Biloela, QldØ Falkiner memorial RS, Deniliquin, Falkiner memorial RS, Deniliquin,

N.S.W.N.S.W.Ø Willowbank, Amberley, Qld.Willowbank, Amberley, Qld.Ø Sungarrin, Seymour, Vic.Sungarrin, Seymour, Vic.Ø Naryeen, Mundubbera, Qld.Naryeen, Mundubbera, Qld.Ø Reynella or O'Hallooran's Hill, S.A.Reynella or O'Hallooran's Hill, S.A.Ø Dapto, NSW.Dapto, NSW.Ø Penrith, NSW.Penrith, NSW.Ø Dover Heights, NSW.Dover Heights, NSW.Ø Katalpga, KakaduKatalpga, KakaduØ Katherin, Research Station, NTKatherin, Research Station, NT

Ø NT: Alice Springs, DarwinNT: Alice Springs, DarwinØ VIC: Merbein, IrympleVIC: Merbein, IrympleØ NSW: Griffith, Parkes, NSW: Griffith, Parkes,

Narrabri, Siding Narrabri, Siding Spring/Mopra, Myall Vale, Spring/Mopra, Myall Vale, Armidale, ArdingArmidale, Arding

Ø Qld: Atherton, Ayr, Cairns, Qld: Atherton, Ayr, Cairns, Townsville, Toowoomba, Townsville, Toowoomba, Gatton & GympieGatton & Gympie

Ø WA: Geraldton, Murchison, WA: Geraldton, Murchison, Bakers HillBakers Hill

Ø Tas: Cape GrimTas: Cape Grim

Total Total 55 TotalTotal 1717 TotalTotal 2222

Regional sites have gone from 44 to 22. Regional footprint cut by half!

Decline in Staff Numbers - Decline in Staff Numbers - ChiswickChiswick

Decline in Staff Numbers – Griffith Decline in Staff Numbers – Griffith

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Staff Changes Atherton 1986 - present

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Issues - Issues - Lack of support staffLack of support staff The RSS process has had a huge impact on regional support staff. Support The RSS process has had a huge impact on regional support staff. Support

staff have seen their hours cut and job descriptions changed from human staff have seen their hours cut and job descriptions changed from human resources/finance to personal assistant whilst still being unofficially resources/finance to personal assistant whilst still being unofficially expected (by HR) to continue in these roles. This has taken its toll on staff expected (by HR) to continue in these roles. This has taken its toll on staff morale and the roll out of SAP has meant that these staff have been locked morale and the roll out of SAP has meant that these staff have been locked out of being able to access HR related information. An example of problems out of being able to access HR related information. An example of problems that have arised from this is no access to check whether staff in regional that have arised from this is no access to check whether staff in regional sites are being correctly paid (e.g. the remote allowance is often “forgotten” sites are being correctly paid (e.g. the remote allowance is often “forgotten” and not paid to new staff), no ability for anyone (including supervisors) to and not paid to new staff), no ability for anyone (including supervisors) to monitor casual hours has led to a number of casuals exceeding their annual monitor casual hours has led to a number of casuals exceeding their annual hours. Some sites have had hours cut so that there is not actually any staff hours. Some sites have had hours cut so that there is not actually any staff to man reception or answer phones and this task has fallen to be shared by to man reception or answer phones and this task has fallen to be shared by other officers. IT support has been cut or has to be paid for out of research other officers. IT support has been cut or has to be paid for out of research projects rather than by IM&T. It is a constant battle to retain support staff in projects rather than by IM&T. It is a constant battle to retain support staff in regional and revolving job descriptions based on the last round of “reforms” regional and revolving job descriptions based on the last round of “reforms” should not be the only way regional research programs are able to have on should not be the only way regional research programs are able to have on site support staff.site support staff.

Dr Rose BrodrickDr Rose BrodrickCSIRO Plant IndustryCSIRO Plant Industry

Issues - Issues - One division sitesOne division sites It appears that divisions are unwilling to commit staff to new sites as they see It appears that divisions are unwilling to commit staff to new sites as they see

themselves then becoming involved in the maintenance and management, in the themselves then becoming involved in the maintenance and management, in the most general sense, of those sites.  This is a real impediment. Staff ought to be able most general sense, of those sites.  This is a real impediment. Staff ought to be able to move easily to regional sites without divisions feeling that this will create an extra to move easily to regional sites without divisions feeling that this will create an extra burden upon them. I think this is all part of the ongoing uncertainty and lack of burden upon them. I think this is all part of the ongoing uncertainty and lack of support for regional sites by CSIRO. If regional sites had strength and stability then support for regional sites by CSIRO. If regional sites had strength and stability then this would not be an issue, in the same way staff moving between city sites is not this would not be an issue, in the same way staff moving between city sites is not seen as an issue.seen as an issue.1) Matrix management is not serving small laboratories well. Funding can be moved 1) Matrix management is not serving small laboratories well. Funding can be moved away by theme leaders without responsibility for the staff repercussions. Staff at small away by theme leaders without responsibility for the staff repercussions. Staff at small labs cannot easily move into another group as can occur in large labs.labs cannot easily move into another group as can occur in large labs.2) Regional labs tend to undertake multidisciplinary research that does not easily fit 2) Regional labs tend to undertake multidisciplinary research that does not easily fit into single themes or portfolios, leads to difficulty in internal CSIRO funding (external into single themes or portfolios, leads to difficulty in internal CSIRO funding (external funds can be easier to obtain than matching internal!) and fractured managementfunds can be easier to obtain than matching internal!) and fractured management3) There is no clear management authority/responsibility for regional labs in the 3) There is no clear management authority/responsibility for regional labs in the current CSIRO management structurecurrent CSIRO management structure

Dr Evan ChristenDr Evan ChristenPrincipal Research ScientistPrincipal Research ScientistCSIRO Land and Water & Sustainable Agriculture FlagshipCSIRO Land and Water & Sustainable Agriculture Flagship

Issues - FundingIssues - Funding There are three funding issues:There are three funding issues:

1. Disempowerment of researchers in the North, whereby all the 1. Disempowerment of researchers in the North, whereby all the research priorities (and funding) is determined by people (Theme research priorities (and funding) is determined by people (Theme leaders) in the south who have no particular interest in the north. leaders) in the south who have no particular interest in the north. 2. Lack of coherent northern strategy - funding is an 2. Lack of coherent northern strategy - funding is an epiphenomenon arising from independent descisions made by epiphenomenon arising from independent descisions made by southern-based Theme leaders based mostly on southern priorities.southern-based Theme leaders based mostly on southern priorities.3. Fragmentation. Our work is very much interdisciplinary and 3. Fragmentation. Our work is very much interdisciplinary and integrative, and does not fit neatly into any particular Theme or integrative, and does not fit neatly into any particular Theme or Flagship. As an example, we have a highly integrated team looking Flagship. As an example, we have a highly integrated team looking at savanna fire management from biodiversity, GHG and Indigenous at savanna fire management from biodiversity, GHG and Indigenous livelihood development perspectives, but this is fragmented in the livelihood development perspectives, but this is fragmented in the matrix through SAF, CAF and BRABA.matrix through SAF, CAF and BRABA.

Dr Alan N AndersenDr Alan N AndersenChief Research ScientistChief Research ScientistCSIRO Ecosystem Sciences CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences

Issues - Travel Allowance issues Issues - Travel Allowance issues and Childcare Accessand Childcare Access

The issues we see with travel are two-fold:The issues we see with travel are two-fold:

1) While we don't mind doing the occasional day or two away for CSIRO, many staff are spending 1) While we don't mind doing the occasional day or two away for CSIRO, many staff are spending a week or more away (for instance at Parkes and/or Marsfield) each month. This is a long time to a week or more away (for instance at Parkes and/or Marsfield) each month. This is a long time to be away from family and presents a significant inconvenience. An added burden for staff who be away from family and presents a significant inconvenience. An added burden for staff who frequently travel is that they pay rent or rates, phone and electricity connection service fees, etc., at frequently travel is that they pay rent or rates, phone and electricity connection service fees, etc., at home, but they are not at home to utilise it. The current $15/day for incidentals is intended to cover home, but they are not at home to utilise it. The current $15/day for incidentals is intended to cover minor out of pocket costs, CSIRO currently has no mechanism to compensate staff who travel.minor out of pocket costs, CSIRO currently has no mechanism to compensate staff who travel.

2) There is no formal arrangement to ensure staff who travel outside of normal working hours are 2) There is no formal arrangement to ensure staff who travel outside of normal working hours are able to claim flex/toil for the time they spend travelling on behalf of CSIRO. While we hope most able to claim flex/toil for the time they spend travelling on behalf of CSIRO. While we hope most managers would informally give staff flex time this is not always the case and we have had an managers would informally give staff flex time this is not always the case and we have had an experience here where a staff member has been denied the appropriate amount of flex for an out experience here where a staff member has been denied the appropriate amount of flex for an out of hours work trip.of hours work trip.

Childcare accessChildcare access

A further comment, specific to regional sites, is that in general we would travel more frequently than A further comment, specific to regional sites, is that in general we would travel more frequently than most staff at city sites. There are exceptions and some senior managers and scientists to an awful most staff at city sites. There are exceptions and some senior managers and scientists to an awful lot of travel, but in general I think the statement is true because, for instance, every time we need to lot of travel, but in general I think the statement is true because, for instance, every time we need to attend a course or meet with divisional colleagues (who are mostly based in Marsfield), travel is attend a course or meet with divisional colleagues (who are mostly based in Marsfield), travel is necessarily involved.necessarily involved.

Likewise at Myall Vale they have cotton trials as far afield as Emerald, Bourke and Hillston, and Likewise at Myall Vale they have cotton trials as far afield as Emerald, Bourke and Hillston, and there is a large amount of travel involved for them as well.there is a large amount of travel involved for them as well.

David Brodrick David Brodrick (Delegate, Research Projects Officer - CASS)(Delegate, Research Projects Officer - CASS)

Issues - Training issuesIssues - Training issues

The disadvantages that come with working at regional sites are varied and challenging when it The disadvantages that come with working at regional sites are varied and challenging when it comes to professional development / training entitlements of CSIRO staff in comparison to city comes to professional development / training entitlements of CSIRO staff in comparison to city sites.sites.

Issues that need to be addressed areIssues that need to be addressed are Providing Professional development opportunities in their geographical area.Providing Professional development opportunities in their geographical area. Time / costs associated with travel for professional development purposes to city sites, such as Time / costs associated with travel for professional development purposes to city sites, such as

accommodation, child care and out of pocket expenses which are not considered in the accommodation, child care and out of pocket expenses which are not considered in the programming of courses or Project costing. Regional Staff have to commute the day prior and programming of courses or Project costing. Regional Staff have to commute the day prior and travel late at night after courses / training, which raise OH&S concerns if driving. A one day travel late at night after courses / training, which raise OH&S concerns if driving. A one day workshop may equate to three days, if travel involved.workshop may equate to three days, if travel involved.

Networking for professional development at regional sites is limited especially in areas of Networking for professional development at regional sites is limited especially in areas of expertise, which leads to limited research collaboration; personal and professional development expertise, which leads to limited research collaboration; personal and professional development within CSIRO suffers.within CSIRO suffers.

The APA process has failed to capture training / professional development requirements of The APA process has failed to capture training / professional development requirements of CSIRO staff and flag potential / future requirements, needs for regional staff.CSIRO staff and flag potential / future requirements, needs for regional staff.

Opportunities to attend Professional development / training are limited by funding & the CSIRO Opportunities to attend Professional development / training are limited by funding & the CSIRO approval processes that often negate applying / asking for consideration.approval processes that often negate applying / asking for consideration.

Internal CSIRO Professional development programs are considered too expensive to attend on Internal CSIRO Professional development programs are considered too expensive to attend on limited funding when other laboratory resources are more critical.limited funding when other laboratory resources are more critical.

John Pengelly John Pengelly (Delegate, Environmental Chemist)(Delegate, Environmental Chemist)WodongaWodonga

Other Issues – At a glanceOther Issues – At a glance

Minimum staff numbersMinimum staff numbers One CSIRO (lack of consistency) – when One CSIRO (lack of consistency) – when

compared with city sitescompared with city sites CSOF level promotion stagnation – this CSOF level promotion stagnation – this

comes as a result of low numbers and comes as a result of low numbers and funding issues.funding issues.

They don't just serve the region, they serve the They don't just serve the region, they serve the nation.  Australia as a whole is diminished when they close.nation.  Australia as a whole is diminished when they close.A vision of purpose for regional sites…A vision of purpose for regional sites…"CSIRO as central in the nation-building project, embedded "CSIRO as central in the nation-building project, embedded in the regions with vital internationally-competitive science in the regions with vital internationally-competitive science and partnerships to build and exchange capability across and partnerships to build and exchange capability across the tertiary sector and provide deep innovative the tertiary sector and provide deep innovative capacity regarding challenges of national significance in capacity regarding challenges of national significance in regional industries and communities including farming, regional industries and communities including farming, Indigenous, tourism etc. - CSIRO's regional footprint as its Indigenous, tourism etc. - CSIRO's regional footprint as its greatest strength." greatest strength."

Unique Contribution of Regional Unique Contribution of Regional SitesSites

Dr Rosemary HillSenior Research Scientist/ Biodiversity PlanningNorthern Australia Futures Group

MediaMedia

MediaMedia

MediaMedia

http://www.johnwilliams.com.au/news-roohttp://www.johnwilliams.com.au/news-room/media-releases/231-no-job-cuts-at-chism/media-releases/231-no-job-cuts-at-chiswick-csirowick-csiro

ABC Radio National interviews with Sam ABC Radio National interviews with Sam PopovskiPopovski

AsksAsks

a)a) Agree on a standard on counting staff numbers for a Agree on a standard on counting staff numbers for a site. That is staff numbers should not include site. That is staff numbers should not include students/associates/fellows/casuals (rarely around) etcstudents/associates/fellows/casuals (rarely around) etc

b)b) Committment to freedom of information. HR/Finance Committment to freedom of information. HR/Finance provide staff figures for each regional site, site closures provide staff figures for each regional site, site closures over years, figures on science funding and correlation over years, figures on science funding and correlation to closure of sites/staff.to closure of sites/staff.

c)c) One key contact, management/committee to agree on One key contact, management/committee to agree on one contact from management that the committee can one contact from management that the committee can deal with now and at any future meetingsdeal with now and at any future meetings

d)d) Management elaborate on Megan's monday mail Management elaborate on Megan's monday mail article commenting on more partnerships of sitesarticle commenting on more partnerships of sites

CSIRO's mondaym@il - 25 October CSIRO's mondaym@il - 25 October 2010 – Our national footprint2010 – Our national footprint

One of the highlights of my job is the regular site visits I do. With a national footprint that extends to 52One of the highlights of my job is the regular site visits I do. With a national footprint that extends to 52locations and regional centres across Australia, CSIRO is an important part of the landscape. locations and regional centres across Australia, CSIRO is an important part of the landscape. Our 2011-2015 strategy looks to build on our footprint through our second strategic imperative –Our 2011-2015 strategy looks to build on our footprint through our second strategic imperative –'Prepare Australia for the future by building national and global scale critical mass of capabilities, data 'Prepare Australia for the future by building national and global scale critical mass of capabilities, data and infrastructure in our core research domains'. and infrastructure in our core research domains'. One of the ways we intend to do this is through national precincts where co-location with other One of the ways we intend to do this is through national precincts where co-location with other organisations enables us to build critical mass. organisations enables us to build critical mass. I am also working with our leaders to ensure our regional centres are vibrant and have strongI am also working with our leaders to ensure our regional centres are vibrant and have strongpartnerships for the future. partnerships for the future. Another important element is to continue to build our transformational capability platforms. These Another important element is to continue to build our transformational capability platforms. These platforms are being kept vibrant through initiatives such as the Advanced Future Fibres Research and platforms are being kept vibrant through initiatives such as the Advanced Future Fibres Research and Innovation Centre which is a co-operative venture within Deakin University at Geelong. Innovation Centre which is a co-operative venture within Deakin University at Geelong. Our vision is that Divisions are the powerhouses of the future, building for future impact and new Our vision is that Divisions are the powerhouses of the future, building for future impact and new themes in Flagships where CSIRO continues to lead discoveries but always thinking of impact. The themes in Flagships where CSIRO continues to lead discoveries but always thinking of impact. The great work, recently celebrated at the CSIRO Awards Ceremony, being done within Plant Industries and great work, recently celebrated at the CSIRO Awards Ceremony, being done within Plant Industries and the Food Futures Flagship on wheat genomics is an example.the Food Futures Flagship on wheat genomics is an example.We must all embrace the value We must all embrace the value Courage to explore new horizonsCourage to explore new horizons so that we are open to taking so that we are open to taking responsibility to create an environment where innovation thrives.responsibility to create an environment where innovation thrives.  RegardsRegards

Megan Clark Megan Clark Chief ExecutiveChief Executive