A " Lifestyle " Decision !

It has become government policy to avoid the concentration of government departments in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.  There are many advantages in relocating to a regional city for both the lifestyle of the staff concerned and to avoid the pressures on homes and public transport that is crippling the capital cities.

Just such a move is proposed for the Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines Authority which will move from Canberra to Armidale.  That is a proposal which will cause consternation in most affected families and a form of compensation is being developed to coax staff to agree to the switch.

For a start, APVMA will pay travel and accommodation costs for staff to visit Armidale for a three day inspection of what that city and the surrounding New England district has to offer.  No doubt they will investigate the availability and cost of housing and ponder the advantages - and disadvantages - of life in a rural community.

The move will be sweetened with an offer of up to $55,000 per family, plus a one thousand dollar " disturbance " cost and a $ 1500 payment if they have a dependent child, and $500 more for each other additional children. That should work out at about six percent of their normal income.

If the APVMA pays this moving cost it will be conditional on the family remaining in Armidale for two years after the move.  Should that person terminate their employment, the compensation package would be reclaimed on a pro rata rate for each month short of that two year period.

Some of the advantages are obvious.  House prices are much lower in the country than the bubble that exists in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra, and that long morning commute in heavy traffic will become a thing of the past.

It will become necessary for any children to change schools - and perhaps factor in the cost of new uniforms - and the move will sever links with close friends and relatives.  There is also the problem of one spouse having to find a new job and work may not be so readily available in a country area.

Then there is the long term effect.  When children finish their education there is the matter of university study to consider, and the availability of career opportunities.  It is likely that attaining a desired career may make family separation inevitable.

Career prospects for the person working within APVMA are likely to be enhanced because the work of the authority is concentrated on farm needs and in Armidale its staff will be fully exposed to interaction with surrounding rural industry.   Opportunities for promotional enhancement are likely to improve in such an environment.

All this is very much in line with commercial industry.  There is the expectation of removal costs if a firm moves a person for company reasons and this applies equally to government departments.  It will not suit every family, but for those who take the plunge it is likely that it will improve their standing on the promotional ladder !