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Planned closure of Cobram Goulburn-Murray Water service centre an “absolute disgrace”, says Tim McCurdy
State Member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy has slammed a decision to close the Goulburn-Murray Water service centre in Cobram.
“The closing of the Cobram G-MW office is an absolute disgrace,” Mr McCurdy said.
The announcement to close the customer service centre on 2-4 Dillon St came on the morning of Monday, September 16, in a press release from G-MW.
G-MW said the service centre would close from Friday, November 1, citing decreasing customer traffic at service centres across the region.
“Even with the easing of coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions, the number of people attending our offices is less than pre-2020,” G-MW Water Delivery Services general manager Warren Blyth said.
From Monday, November 4, all services will transfer to the Shepparton service centre at 21 Wheeler St.
G-MW has confirmed that the closure of the Cobram service centre will not result in a reduction in staff numbers, with teams continuing to operate at existing levels.
Mr McCurdy, however, said the decision would see more local jobs transferred to Shepparton.
“Undoubtedly, the staff from Cobram will tire of the travel and the jobs will be taken up by Shepparton staff, never to return to Cobram.”
The decision was also met with concern from farmers and irrigators.
Victorian Farmers Federation chairman Andrew Leahy said the decision left a large area to be serviced.
“We are concerned that you’re taking people away from local areas who understand the areas and add importance to the local community,” he said.
“The other concern is you’ll be taking workers away from those areas.”
G-MW is a statutory corporation appointed by the Victorian Minister for Water in 1989, with its main office in Tatura.
The decision comes after the closure of the G-MW Kyabram office in February.
“It is very disappointing that the Water Minister, Harriet Shing, and Premier Jacinta Allan continue to close down important service centres in towns like Cobram, as their legacy of regional neglect and underinvestment is trumped by their waste and blowouts in Melbourne,” Mr McCurdy said.
In a statement, a Victorian Government spokesperson said the closure is an operational decision made by G-MW and its board.
“Goulburn-Murray Water have assured its customers this decision will not impact its ability to provide exceptional customer service via its Shepparton centre and growing preference for on-farm customer contact.”