Council to release updated restructure proposal after more than 200 submissions received

Saturday, 10 May 2025

Timaru District Council chief executive Nigel Trainor announced his proposal to restructure the organisation on March 24. An updated version is expected to be shared with staff on May 19.

Stressed-out staff with jobs on the line at Timaru’s council will have to wait another 10 days to learn whether they will have jobs under an updated proposal.

It’s been six weeks since the council’s chief executive Nigel Trainor sent a shockwave through the council’s staff announcing a plan to cut 71 roles from the organisation and create 19.

The proposed cuts spanned all departments and staffing levels of the council and were hoped to save the council between $3.5 million and $4m.

The original proposal had suggested a two-and-a-half week consultation period, however that had been extended to April 22 after a request from the Public Service Association (PSA).

Trainor said he had received more than 200 submissions.

Timaru District Council chief executive Nigel Trainor says he has used the feedback from staff to inform and update the restructure proposal and hopes staff concerns will be addressed.

“The calibre of the responses speaks highly to the professionalism and knowledge of our staff, and I’d like to acknowledge and thank them for that.

“We’ve been using the feedback to inform and update the proposal, which will be presented to all staff and their union representative for further consultation on 19 May,” Trainor said.

“I sincerely hope that the majority of the views and concerns will be addressed in the next proposal, ultimately resulting in a fit-for-purpose structure at the conclusion of the process.”

Asked what the next steps would be, Trainor said the exact timelines following that consultation would be discussed with staff and the union.

When he announced the proposal in March, Trainor said the aim was to have any changes implemented by July 1.

This week, he said he was “more focused on doing this process in the correct manner, rather than rushing it to fit into any specific timescale and then having to do it again in the future”.

“While we will have a clear direction of travel in early July, for a change process this significant it will take some time to implement fully.”

Timaru District Council’s customer services closed on March 24 after staff were informed of the proposal.

Asked how staff morale was and what measure the council had taken to ensure the wellbeing of staff through the process, Trainor acknowledged it had been a “stressful time for everyone at the council”.

“… we’re offering all the support that we can at this time, but again the high level of engagement staff had had with this process is a real credit to their professionalism,” he said.

The council had a staff of 316.7 FTE (full-time equivalent) with 304 of those also members of the Public Service Association union (PSA).

PSA organiser Kali Mulrine said the union’s main concern was the “sheer number” of roles proposed to be disestablished.

“…what does this mean for council’s capacity and capability to deliver services to the community, including in emergency situations?

“We’re also concerned about the potential for unsustainable workloads for those who are left.”

Mulrine said the council had extended the consultation period from two weeks to four, and that had closed on April 22.

“PSA members have submitted a huge amount of feedback, and we hope the CE looks at the rationale and considers the adverse outcomes for our members and the community if these roles are cut.”