Taxpayers funding ‘gold, grit and greatness’ conference for 300 bureaucrats

A NSW government department is refusing to say how much taxpayers will spend for hundreds of bureaucrats to attend a three-night “gold, grit and greatness” conference in Bathurst, which is taking place as some staff at the agency fear they may lose their jobs in a looming restructure. Value NSW, an agency within the NSW Department of Planning responsible for setting land values, will next month send almost 300 staff west of the Great Dividing Range for an annual conference that doubles as an internal awards night and a knees-up. The all-staff conference is treated with significant anticipation within Value NSW.

The staff intranet contains a countdown clock for the event, the theme of which is “gold, grit and greatness”, and staff have been told to expect it to be “bigger, bolder and more exciting than ever this year”. “Think connections, fresh ideas, inspiring conversations, hands-on sessions, and yes … a few fun surprises along the way,” an email sent to staff this year says.

It also includes an awards night, dubbed “#valueadders”. The agency will fly 25 staff from its offices across the state while also chartering coaches to the event. It has paid for three nights of accommodation for the 294 staff expected to attend.

But the agency is refusing to say how much it spends on the annual event or whether a looming restructure means some of those being asked to attend the conference will soon be made redundant. When the Herald requested information on how much taxpayer money was being spent on the event, a spokesman said cost figures “would not be provided”. The agency ignored questions about whether a “change management plan” being circulated within the agency could lead to staff facing the axe.

The cost of the event as a restructure looms has left a bad taste in the mouth of some staff, who believe they could just as easily complete their training online or in the office. While an agency spokesman said the restructure would lead to a “net increase of nine full-time equivalent positions across the agency”, an internal document seen by the Herald says the agency is required to “deliver our services more efficiently”. “We need to rebalance our workforce and structure — reducing where technology creates efficiencies and investing where demand is growing,” the document says.

The conference is planned for state valuers to complete their mandatory training. Value NSW chief executive Stewart McLachlan said it was an “efficient way” for staff to maintain accreditation. A copy of the agenda seen by the Herald lists events including an “On the Couch” session with NSW Planning secretary Kiersten Fishburn and a “Stat Chat” with the NSW valuer-general Sally Dale and NSW auditor-general Bola Oyetunji.

Although the conference is an annual event, it has expanded recently as Value NSW has undergone a significant expansion under the Minns government. While many valuation services were previously done by private firms, the state government has brought the functions in-house. Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights.

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