The Victorian Government has announced a major overhaul and substantial changes to the deployment of staff of  the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) with the aim of refocusing it towards delivering research and development to rural stakeholders.

 

The plan will involve consolidation of operations in metropolitan offices from Box Hill, Frankston, Footscray, Knoxfield, Werribee and Woori Yallock, while shop fronts in Ararat, Birchip, Camperdown, Cobram, Kyneton, Ouyen and St Arnaud will be wound up and these staff members moved to existing rural DPI offices.

 

The savings generated will be reinvested into future research and development efforts by DPI.

 

Three floors of DPI headquarters in the city will be closed – two at 55 Collins Street and one floor at 1 Spring Street. There will also be altered service delivery of DPI operations that will see DPI staff currently based in 15 DSE offices relocated to existing rural and regional DPI offices.

 

Minister for Agriculture and Food Security Peter Walsh said the refreshed DPI would focus on better supporting Victoria's agricultural industries to ensure future food supply for Victoria and to take advantage of export opportunities such as emerging Asian markets.

 

"Victoria's food and fibre exports were worth a record $8.07 billion in the 2010-11 financial year, making the sector the state's second-highest export earner representing 28 per cent of Australian agricultural exports," Mr Walsh said.

 

"There is growing worldwide demand for Australian agricultural exports and Victoria is well-placed to take a lead role, but it is important that DPI is in a position to deliver the most effective support, research and development to farmers as possible.

 

Mr Walsh said more DPI staff would be located in regional and rural Victoria than based in Melbourne, providing dedicated services for producers.

 

"The Government plans to instill new purpose into the DPI as part of its $213 million investment supporting Victoria's agricultural sector, headlined by the $61.4 million Growing Food and Fibre initiative."