Annual Report 2005 - The Office of Public Works

Corporate Services
Personnel Services
The Personnel Division in the Office of Public Works provides a support service to a large
multi-faceted and multi-locational organisation with a workforce of over 2,000 in
administrative, professional, technical and industrial grades.
Because of the diverse nature of the work carried out by OPW our staff have a wide mix of
competencies and skills. This diverse and talented staff cadre input into the businesses
undertaken by OPW across areas such as procurement, property maintenance, property
and project management, architectural design, heritage conservation and flood relief
management.
In 2005 the Personnel Division provided a range of services to both management and staff
in OPW (e.g. recruitment, promotion, pay and pensions, work-life balance options and
various leave options) while meeting internal organisational challenges arising from
decentralisation and dealing with the evolving complexity of employment law and with
individual staff member issues.
Ongoing communications were conducted with staff and unions through the formal
representative forums of Partnership and Departmental Council as well as with individual
unions and staff on particulars.
Organisation Unit
The Organisation Unit, as part of Corporate Services, performs a vital role in the OPW. It
provides and maintains the IT, telecommunications, and office equipment infrastructure
that underpins the activities of the rest of the Office. The unit has undergone significant
changes in 2005 which will continue in 2006 with a continued emphasis on performance
review and delivery of work targets. During 2005 the Legal Services Section was integrated
into the Organisation Unit and shares the same location thus allowing a greater transfer of
skills among the members of the Unit.
The Main focus in 2005 was the delivery of the projects and services set out in the
Business Plan as approved by the IT User group. The IT User group, which represents the
business areas within the OPW, make recommendations, authorise and prioritise all major
IT projects.
Outlines of key areas of work undertaken by the Organisation Unit in 2005 are as follows:
(a) Flood hazard mapping system
Continued to provide IT support to Engineering Services during the development phase of
the Flood Hazard Mapping System. The System is due to go live in 2006.
(b) Installation of wireless computer network in National Botanic Gardens
A new wireless network was installed throughout the Botanic Gardens complex replacing
obsolete fibre optic cable. This new network provides a flexible and efficient method of
data communication within the complex.
(c) Upgrade of Corepay system
An upgrade of the Corepay system was undertaken during the year and a new webenabled
version will be rolled out to pay clerks early in 2006.
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