Professionals Australia says consultants can cost “four times more”

The union representing engineers says consultants are taking over work once done by State Government staff.

THE declining ranks of engineers in the Department of State Growth has been linked with the use of costly consultants on infrastructure projects.

State Growth has awarded almost $2 million to consultants in recent months for a range of projects related to fixing Hobart’s traffic.

In a decision described as “out of touch” by Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds, the spending has included $762,000 to consultants GHD for a feasibility into a Western city bypass.

Following the GHD contract, Sydney-based firm WSP Australia received $1.09 million from the Hobart City Deal funding pool to look at ways of improving peak demand traffic flow from the Southern Outlet.

In another traffic-related consultancy, Pitt and Sherry have been awarded $246,834 to conduct a planning study for stage three of South Arm Highway/Rokeby Main Rd upgrade.

Professionals Australia, the union representing engineers, says consultants are increasingly being called upon to do the work once done by Department staff.

Professionals Australia state director Luke Crowley said the engineering workforce was shrinking.

“Ten years ago there were 33 engineers employed by State Growth, then the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources. There are now 23, so it’s no wonder the government is needing to engage more and more consultants,” Mr Crowley said.

“Classically, consultants are paid four times the rate of engineers that work for the State Government. In addition, our State Government employed engineers are fundamentally charged with looking after the interests of the Tasmanian taxpayer, where as consultants are fundamentally seeking to increase profits for their employer.”

A spokeswoman for the Department of State Growth said consultants were needed, given fluctuations in infrastructure spending related to big projects.

“The Department of State Growth engages expert consultants for their specialist skills, particularly in scientific and engineering specialisations where it is not cost-effective for the Department to maintain this capability in-house as full time employment,” the spokeswoman said.

“During times when the capital works and planning programs are larger, the number and value of these consultancies necessarily increases, and we need to be able to obtain these services in a way that matches the infrastructure projects.”

State Growth is currently advertising a request for tender for a Greater Hobart Urban Travel Demand Model Update.

The State Opposition has lashed the recent spending on traffic-related consultants.