Some 104 jobs will be created across the Murray Darling Basin as a third of the Murray Darling Basin Authority's jobs will now be located in regional areas.
Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources David Littleproud said an additional 76 new jobs would be spread across Murray Bridge in SA, Mildura in Victoria, Griffith in NSW and Goondiwindi in Queensland, on top of the 28 jobs the MDBA had already decentralised.
"The people who manage the river system should live on the river," Minister Littleproud said.
"Country people deserve government jobs as much as city people do, and that's why I fought so hard to make this decentralisation happen. Decentralisation gives our kids great careers without them having to move hours away from family and friends to capital cities. It helps keep the brains in the bush.
"ABS stats reveal Government jobs are a huge economic driver, particularly in regional communities. Putting 20 jobs into Goondiwindi makes a huge difference to that town.
"We've seen huge numbers of applications from around the globe for jobs at the agencies already decentralised. The Regional Investment Corporation received 10 applications for every job available, with applicants from all capital cities and around the globe.
"And why wouldn't people want to escape gridlock traffic for country life, where houses are a fraction of the cost, it takes 10 minutes to get to work and you can park out the front of your favourite restaurant, for free.
"MDBA staff right through from Senior Executives to operational staff, compliance and environmental staff will be offered the chance to live in these regional centres. If the number isn't filled by people wanting to move, these positions will be advertised locally.
''In years to come people will highlight the MDBA as a great example of decentralisation."
Fast Facts:
- 104 MDBA positions will be located in regions - around one-third of its total staff.
- Currently there are 28 regional jobs with the MDBA, the decentralisation plan will see that grown by 76 additional jobs and new offices established across the Murray Darling Basin System.
