An attempt by Dunstan ward regional councillors - Gary Kelliher and Michael Laws - to reduce ORC staff numbers over the next three years, has failed at the Council table today. Cr Gary Kelliher's motion sought to reduce Otago regional council staff numbers from 360 FTEs (full-time equivalents) to 300 FTEs by 2028. It was seconded by Cr Michael Laws.

Cr Laws pointed out that ORC staff numbers had more than doubled over the past six years - from 170 FTEs in 2020 to 355 this year. The number of ORC staff earning over $120,000 per annum had more than doubled in that time - from 30 in 2021 to 68 in 2024.

"In addition, staff salary increases of 5% and 4.5% over the past two years are well out of whack with the private sector. And there's been no discernible improvement in service or effective environmental action. Other councils see the problem, but not the ORC."

Although there was some sympathy around the council table, a significant majority of ORC councillors voted down the motion.

"It's an issue that I won't give up on," said Cr Kelliher today. "At an average $150,000 cost per staff member, staffing is the ORC's largest expense and greatest burden upon ratepayers.."

Cr Michael Laws

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