Transition Update (13 Apr 2022)

Dear Colleagues,

I’m writing to you as one of the staff members of an Agency involved in the Communities Tasmania Transition Project, with a key update around timing in addition to sharing further information around how we’re approaching the Transition Project.

But before moving to more detailed information, first I’d like to remind you that this change is not about reducing services, and it’s not about saving dollars. Rather, this change is about building on our successes and realigning our services to best meet the ongoing needs of our Tasmanian community.

I understand that for some of you, especially at Communities Tasmania, this is a big change to the way you work. Others of you reading this email won’t feel as affected by this transition. If this is you, and you’d prefer just a summary, here are the key points:

1. We are staging the transition – we won’t be moving everything at once. The first move is Silverdome and Sport and Recreation transitioning to the Department of State Growth by the end of June.
2. It’s envisaged that initially most staff at Communities Tasmania will not physically move locations to their new homes in the State Service, and many will retain the same Manager or Deputy Secretary.
3. Engagement between Agencies continues to occur on a regular basis, and it’s expected that this will ramp up over the coming months of the transition.

Update: timing for transition

While specific details are still being worked through, the staged transition will be phased in between 1 July 2022 – 30 September 2022. Below is a summary of what is planned so far:

• Silverdome and Sport and Recreation transition to the Department of State Growth by the end of June 2022.
• End of July 2022:
  • Office of Aboriginal Affairs and Aboriginal Heritage moves to DPAC – Aboriginal Affairs Division established
  • Women, Family Safety Secretariat, Child & Youth Wellbeing Strategy, Policy & Programs, Veteran’s Affairs, and Community and Disability Services transfer to DPAC.
• Children, Youth and Families, and Tasmanian Autism Diagnostic Service transfer to the new Department of Education, Children and Young People by end of September 2022.
• New Housing Tasmania Authority established on 1 October 2022.

You will notice that the first major move of functions is Silverdome and Sport and Recreation, who will be moving by the end of June. Relevant staff will receive further information about this shortly.

I would like to note that while many Communities Tasmania staff know where they will be moving to, there are some of you (such as Office of the Secretary staff, Corporate Services staff, and Family Violence Counselling Service staff) where discussions are still underway regarding your future home in the State Service. Making these decisions remains a top priority, and we are working to resolve this as soon as possible. We will be able to engage with you in more detail about this after Easter.

More information: where staff will physically be located

At this stage it is envisaged that – initially at least – most staff at Communities Tasmania will not physically move locations to their new homes in the State Service. Instead, roles will be realigned as you fit into your new Agency, and in many cases you will still have the same Manager or Deputy Secretary. There may be some exceptions, of course, but this is the approach we are taking as a first step.

Update: engaging with staff

It’s great to see engagement continuing to occur between Agencies as details of the transition are worked through. It’s expected that this will ramp up over the coming months as we move closer towards the key dates mentioned above.

I understand that each of you will be experiencing this change in your own unique way. I encourage you to be kind to yourself and your colleagues, and to reach out to the Employee Assistance Provider in your Agency (or any other additional wellbeing supports you may prefer) if you feel you need extra support during this time.

Thank you again for all that you do to serve our Tasmanian community. If you’re able to take a break over the Easter period, I wish you a relaxing time. If you’re working or on call over the coming week – thank you for all that you do.