Northern Beaches Council starts recruitment drive to fill more than 60 vacant full-time positions
A MAJOR recruitment drive is under way by Northern Beaches Council, which is seeking to fill more than 60 vacant full-time positions.
Manly
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A MAJOR recruitment drive is under way by Northern Beaches Council, which is seeking to fill more than 60 vacant full-time positions.
Acting chief executive officer Ben Taylor spruiked the advantages of working for the third-biggest council in NSW, urging locals to “come join us”.
“We are looking for people with a range of skills to join our busy teams,” he said. “Project managers, engineers, labourers and recreation planners are just some of the roles we’re recruiting.
“The northern beaches is a great place to live and work — plus you can make a difference for your local community.”
The recruitment drive comes as the latest financial documents show there is an $18 million backlog in capital works this financial year.
The quarterly report at the latest council meeting showed the council had spent $12.3 million less than expected on operational tasks — $6 million of which was on staff underspend.
Mr Taylor acknowledged the underspend of $30 million across the budget, but said it did not mean the council was way behind schedule, pointing out that in a $439 million budget it equated to about three and half weeks of work.
He said it was not only staff numbers but the way financials were calculated.
Mr Taylor said a number of the scheduled works were near-completion but had been rolled over to the new year as they would fall just short.
A report before councillors, who signed off on the underspend, said the reduction in works costs was “principally due to the ambitious nature of the program and the significant community consultation required”.
Mr Taylor said it was a testament to the staff, who were working harder than ever.
“Our people are committed professionals who are working very hard to deliver great services and projects, even in the face of some staff shortages,” he said. “Services continue as usual and we are on track to deliver a range of exciting projects.
“Some projects have been pushed back due to extended community engagement to make sure all community views are heard, as well as planning and other considerations.
“Council is in a strong financial position to continue to provide great service and realise the visions of our community into the next financial year.”
Mayor Michael Regan said the council’s staff had done an incredible job to keep so close to schedule, given the amount of vacancies.
“We always knew amalgamation would be a significant job — merging three organisations into one is no small task,” Cr Regan said.
“We have a way to go but, two years in, the community is starting to see the results.”
Cr Regan pointed to the one beaches parking sticker, reduced DA times and the large capital works program.
“Staff are working very hard despite recruitment challenges and our program of works is ambitious,” he said.
“But that’s because we want to get things done and I am excited about what we can achieve in the next few years.”
THE WORKS NOT DONE: A total of $18,330,364
Beach Buildings Works Program $51,000
Beacon Hill Community Centre and Youth Club $725,000
Collaroy-Narrabeen Coastal Protection Works $7,500,000
Community Garden — Curl Curl Community Hub $40,000
Dee Why Town Centre — Construction — Phase 1 $1,400,000
Energy Saving Initiatives Works Program $77,224
Fairy Bower Sea Wall Project $97,260
Forestville War Memorial Playing Fields — Netball Court Upgrade $120,000
Kimbriki Road $850,000
Library Buildings Works Program $42,000
Long Reef Surf Lifesaving Club Renewal $51,000
Manly Art Gallery $33,000
Manly Dam Public Amenities Works $550,000
Manly Laneways $131,573
Mona Vale Library — Upgrades and New Works $130,000
Mona Vale SLSC $220,000
Narrabeen Lagoon Trail — Aquatic Boardwalk $330,000
New Infrastructure for Church Point $300,000
Nolans Reserve Sports Amenities Works $1,486,000
North Narrabeen Rock Pool Amenities Works $340,000
Parking Station and Meters Infrastructure $857,728
Planned Stormwater New $300,000
Planned Stormwater Renewals $319,246
Public Amenities Works Program $250,000
Reactive Stormwater Renewals $100,730
Reserves — New and Upgrades $120,000
Retaining Wall Renewal $445,000
Rockpool Renewal Program $75,000
Sports Club Capital Assistance Program $70,000
Sportsgrounds — New and Upgrades $103,001
Swim Club Buildings Works Program $11,000
Warriewood Rugby Park Clubhouse $370,000
Warriewood Valley — Traffic and Transport Infrastructure $450,000
Warriewood Valley Community Centre $44,840
Warriewood Valley Creekline works $431,461
Other ($91,699)