By GRAHAM SKELLERN
The Bay's regional council will be unveiling a new management line-up later this week.
In a big shake-up to the organisation, Environment Bay of Plenty chief executive Bill Bayfield has created seven different departments and asked the present group managers to re-apply for jobs.
The Bay of Plenty Times understands that two of the six group managers - who may have to move from Whakatane to Tauranga - decided not to re-apply.
It's the first major restructuring since Environment BOP was established more than 17 years ago.
Mr Bayfield said he wanted to produce a management structure that would deliver the council's 10-year plan in an effective manner.
"It's been the same way for many years and I don't believe it was lined up right. The rules and functions of the regional council have changed dramatically over that time. For instance, we have taken on a transport function and now that makes up 16 per cent of the expenditure," Mr Bayfield said.
He has first re-organised the departments based on the council's core activities - water, land use, rivers and drainage. Transport planning is part of the strategic development department, while communications, human resources, governance and Maori policy has been combined in a new group called "people in partnership".
There is a finance department, and all the environmental data and information systems will be handled by the technology and science group.
At present Miles McConway is group manager Human Resources and corporate services, Paul Dell runs regulation and resource management, Clive Tozer operational services - but their departments have been broken up.
Mr Dell, who has led the Rotorua lakes restoration project, is likely to head the water group.
The other group managers are Bruce Fraser community relations, a strong candidate for "people in partnership", Paul Gavin finance and John Mandemaker strategic policy.
Mr Bayfield has completed the interviews and said the new line-up would hopefully be announced towards the end of the week.
The deputy chief executive's position held by Sandy Lawrie was not re-advertised. Mr Bayfield indicated that when Mr Lawrie retired that position would not be retained.
If the regional council relocates, then six of the new general managers will be expected to move to Tauranga - the head of rivers and drainage would stay in Whakatane.
Environment BOP holds four days of annual hearings starting May 21 and the bulk of the 700 submissions are on the controversial issue of moving the headquarters.
The proposal is to shift 130 staff from Whakatane to Tauranga, leaving 70-odd in the Eastern Bay to concentrate on rivers and drainage.
Environment BOP has accounted for up to 50 redundancies which together with relocation costs would amount to $2 million.
John Cronin, Environment BOP chairman, said even if the relocation didn't eventuate, between 50-60 staff would be sent to Tauranga because the Western Bay is under-serviced, particularly in land use, compliance and transport areas.
The regional councillors will make a final decision on the relocation towards of next month.
