NUMEROUS jobs at the Spatial Services head office in Bathurst are set to be cut amid a significant restructure.
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Spatial Services is responsible for providing spatial and land information, which is considered the foundation of NSW's mapping and spatial information systems.
A Department of Community Services (DCS) Spatial Services spokesperson said the division of the state government department is "being reviewed to ensure it is sustainably placed to meet the needs and priorities of the NSW community".
"Spatial Services has been operating above its allocated budget since FY2018-19; this is not sustainable on an ongoing basis and not a responsible use of taxpayers' money," they said.
Spatial Services employees and unions are being consulted on a proposed new structure.
The spokesperson said their views will be carefully considered before any changes are implemented.
"We understand this brings a level of uncertainty to staff and Spatial Services is making every effort to ensure employees are supported," they said.
The DCS would not provide information on existing staff numbers or how many jobs are set to be lost in the restructure.
Member for Bathurst Paul Toole understands at least 20 jobs will be lost from the Bathurst office, labelling the situation as a "sneaky, back-door restructure".
"This is just totally unacceptable and it's clear it is a very city-centric government, not realising the impacts of taking regional jobs out of local communities," he said.
"The people who work at Spatial Services are members of our local community.
"They have mortgages here, families here, kids that go to the local schools, and all this is doing is putting their lives on hold at the moment.
"... ripping 20-plus jobs out of the community is ripping millions of dollars out of the local economy. That is wages that are not being reinvested back into the community."
He said the work of Spatial Services is unique and carried out by "highly-trained and highly-skilled" staff.
"If we lose that corporate knowledge, then it's service delivery across NSW that is going to be lost," Mr Toole said.
"We see surveying work, digital work, they work with local councils, and the NSW Labor government is putting a lot of this at risk."
Mr Toole is attempting to apply pressure on the government to reconsider its plans.
He said he has written to Jihad Dib, the Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, about the matter and also invited him to visit Bathurst and speak to staff directly.
Mr Toole also raised the Spatial Services matter during Parliament on March 27, 2025.
