Waiouru budget cuts affects showing

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 409, 22 October 1991, Page 1

Waiouru budget cuts affects showing

BY

JO

HOWIE

The consequences for the Army from the 1991 Budget are now coming into effect in Waiouru. Colonel Clive Sinclair, Commander of the ATG, Waiouru, was recently able to confirm further details of the civilian employment situation. As civilians employed by the Ministry of Defence leave their job in Waiouru they will not be replaced. These jobs will be kept vacant so that civilians that have been made redundant in other Defence areas will have the choice of redeployment in Waiouru if they are suitably qualified. Col Sinclair said that he is approximately $0.5 million short for civilian pay. He said he will need to do more than reduce overtime payments to reduce the deficit. "To try and balance the books, Mr McCready the civilian administration officer and I will declare eight positions surplus and a further four positions that are on hold now will not be filled in Deeember. This will be a total of 12 positions declared surplus. "I have reservations about whether this will be enough, but I hope so. The civilian staff establishment will always remain under

review as long as we have this problem of lack of funds. "I've not tried to hide anything from the civilian staff. Mr McCready has had meetings to inform employees of what the situation is. "Only numbers have been decided upon at this stage, individuals have not yet been told. Most of the jobs being declared surplus are in the Catering Dept," Col Sinclair said. It was confirmed last month that the School of Military Intelligence and Security, and the Engineer Resource Troop were transferring to Waiouru. From these two Units, there will be an increase. of 19 army personnel in Waiouru. Col Sinclair said there will be no increase to the Waiouru population as a result of recent army restructuring. "Actually, there has been a net loss in Waiouru's population over the last three years. We have lost 150 military personnel during this time as the School of Electrical Mechanical Engineers has gone to Trentham, Four Composite Squadron has been disbanded, and Four Supply Company has reduced numbers and moved to Trentham." "So there is no pressure on the housing situation," he said.