The National Archives of Australia has announced it will close its State offices in Adelaide, Darwin and Hobart in a bid to cut costs.
Director General of the Archives, Ross Gibbs said the offices would be closed over the next two-and-a-half years as building leases expired.
“The decision to close these particular offices was difficult, but is, I believe, a responsible one,” Mr Gibbs said.
“Canberra will bear budget cuts to achieve the savings, and there would naturally be a flow-on to all State offices.
Three close to save costs
“The decision to close the Adelaide, Darwin and Hobart offices was based on the knowledge that they could not endure any more budget cuts while still maintaining the high level of service that they are known for.”
He said as part of the Government’s Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook, the National Archives and other Agencies were required to find “significant budget savings.”
“For the current forward estimate years 2009–10 to 2012–13, the savings are $700,000 in the first year and $1.4 million each year thereafter.
Mr Gibbs visited Darwin, Adelaide and Hobart to inform staff of the changes.
He said the timing of the office closures would allow the Archives “to deliver a planned approach” and help the 19 affected staff adjust.
“We are developing an employment transition plan for affected staff and an employment assistance service will also be made available to them,” Mr Gibbs said.
He said the Darwin office would close on 30 September 2010; the Adelaide office would close on 30 March 2011; the Melville Street office in Hobart would close on 31 August 2010; and the Macquarie Street office in Hobart would close on 30 April 2012.
“I want to reassure our users that meeting their needs into the future is a key concern,” Mr Gibbs said.
“As well as ensuring the ongoing provision of the National Archives’ service – both locally and online – in Adelaide, Darwin and Hobart, we are considering the future of the records in these locations.”
He said some records could be relocated to repositories in Sydney or Melbourne, while others could be relocated locally with “sympathetic local cultural heritage institutions.”
“These arrangements are being negotiated with National Archives staff in each office,” he said.
Director of the Brisbane, Darwin and Adelaide offices, David Swift said the decision was unexpected but economically sound.
Mr Swift said the three offices were the smallest and least-used collections compared to other States.
The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) has called for further information on the closures and how they will effect staff.
CPSU said it was working to ensure information about the impact of the cuts on service delivery to residents was forthcoming and that directly affected staff received their rights as per the union-negotiated NAA collective agreement.
It said indirectly affected staff should not be burdened with “unrealistic and unmanageable workloads.”
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