A 20-year economic vision for regional NSW released by the Government earlier this month includes an increase in the number of senior NSW Government roles being based in regional communities.
Announcing the new ‘Regional Workforce Principles’ while presenting the 20-Year Economic Vision for Regional NSW, Deputy Premier John Barilaro said increasing the number of senior Government roles in the regions would also increase high skilled job opportunities in the bush.
“It’s a new era for Government Agencies,” Mr Barilaro said.
He said the best way to future proof regional NSW from the impacts of prolonged drought, fires and floods was to diversify regional economies and create high-paying quality job opportunities.
“This announcement will see NSW Government public sector roles advertised from any location with ‘regional location encouraged’ and a commitment to increase the proportion of senior Government roles in the regions by 2023,” Mr Barilaro said.
“One thing we have learned in the past year is that you don’t need to be tethered to a desk in Sydney CBD to do a variety of jobs,” he said.
“It’s essential that the people who work to support this State are living and working in the communities they serve.”
Mr Barilaro said the Principles would help create a more flexible public sector, take more of the decision making out of Sydney and ensure a greater geographical spread of staff living in regional communities.
“After the impacts of natural disasters and a pandemic, it’s clear our communities want a stronger, safer regional NSW, which is not only surviving, but thriving, and the 20-year Vision sets out a clear pathway forward,” the Minister said.
“The Department of Regional NSW is leading the way, having established working hubs in Armidale, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo and Queanbeyan in the past six months and it will soon begin to assist Agencies to grow their workforces in regional NSW too,” he said.
