Staffing cuts a $200k saving for council
A NEW arrangement reducing the number of after hours on-call staff could save the Southern Downs Regional Council as much as $200,000 a year.
The council will trial the new arrangements for three months from Tuesday.
As part of the changes, the number of on-call staff will drop from 18 to eight from Mondays to Saturday and four on Sundays.
CEO David Keenan said the reduction offered considerable operational savings and would boost productivity.
"To achieve a comparable sum through active revenue raising would require a rate rise of about 1% and we know that simply would not be well received by our ratepayers and the Southern Downs community," he said.
"The review of these arrangements was done in consultation with staff and is part of council's ongoing commitment to identifying efficiencies and savings."
Despite the changes, Mr Keenan emphasised critical services would be supported effectively and appropriately.
