More jobs set as TAC staff shun city office

By Geelong Story Updates
Geelong’s TAC building is set to deliver a bigger jobs bonanza than initial expectations as more Melbourne staff refuse to move down the Princes Freeway.
But the organisation’s headhunting of professionals for the new office has ruffled feathers in Geelong, particularly in legal circles.
The TAC is set to shift 900 jobs to Geelong after completion of the new Brougham Street headquarters early in 2009.
Geelong Chamber of Commerce executive director Lawrie Miller said new Premier John Brumby had recently told him the city could look forward to more jobs than initially estimated.
The TAC had found that more staff than it had expected were knocking back transfers to Geelong and seeking alternative employment, Mr Miller said
“The numbers relocating to Geelong are not has high as first thought,” he said.
“I believe it’s half or slightly less and a lot of those will be really good office jobs.
“This is great for Geelong. If the reality is that fewer employees relocate to Geelong then it will be good for people here with the right skills.”
Mr Miller expected the bulk of jobs to be in administration.
However, not everyone in Geelong has welcomed the looming TAC jobs flood.
A senior partner at a Geelong law firm said the TAC had been headhunting ahead of its arrival, with his company already losing a valuable staff member. Another had left after winning an advertised position.
The partner said the TAC was already employing Geelong lawyers, luring them to Melbourne with lucrative offers for 18 months of training before the move.
He expected that other law firms were also feeling the pinch.
“The TAC has something like 200 lawyers, so they need a lot,” the partner said.
“But it’s fair game. I’m just disappointed the TAC is headhunting rather than waiting for responses to its advertising.”
The partner was nervously waiting to see whether the TAC would begin headhunting administration and support staff as well.
A TAC spokesperson did not return the Independent’s call for comment.