New South Wales Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald has responded to concerns from Parkes Shire Council regarding the absence of a local District Agronomist.
The District Agronomist position in Parkes has been vacant since last August and council along with Local Independent Member for Dubbo Dawn Fardell has been attempting to rectify the situation.
At the most recent council meeting a letter was tabled from Mr Macdonald where he indicated the current District Agronomist Karen Roberts had been on leave and was due to return yesterday (1 July).
`For much of the time of her absence, the position has been filled by a capable young officer who has been under the close supervision of an experienced Agronomist,’ Mr Macdonald wrote.
`The young officer has now moved to another important conservation farming project in the Central West aimed at increasing the uptake of conservation farming practices in that region.’
Mr Macdonald said that until the return of the incumbent agronomist, district responsibilities would be managed by agronomists in neighbouring districts `as routinely occurs when staff is on annual leave.’
Deputy Mayor Cr Ken Keith said that from what he had heard the current agronomist would not be returning to her position in Parkes.
`I guess we’ll soon find out though,’ Cr Keith said.
`If not we’ll have to start the enquiry process all over again,’ replied Cr John Magill.