DPIPWE secretary John Whittington told a budget estimates hearing that incentives would also be offered to southern-based staff to move to the North.

He said 1500 people were employed in DPIPWE and having 100 jobs relocated would give an economic boost to the North and North-West.

“All positions vacant will now be filled in the North and North-West unless there is a sound business case that they can only be done in the South,” Dr Whittington said.

“We are not targeting individual jobs and I am absolutely determined to make this work.”

Primary Industries Minister Sarah Courtney told Windermere independent MLC Ivan Dean there would be no forced relocations.

She said it was likely 60 to 70 staff would move to the Mt Pleasant laboratories at Prospect and the remainder to Stony Rise at Devonport.

“There is no reason to believe we won’t achieve these targets and the process has already started,” Ms Courtney said.

“We are providing $2.4 million over four years for this and that includes upgrades to the Mt Pleasant laboratories and to Stony Rise.

“There are many housing options available, particularly to young families moving to Northern Tasmania.”

Dr Whittington said incentives included relocation costs and even paying for new school uniforms.

The budget estimates hearing was also told that two new agricultural positions would be based in Northern Tasmania to provide a one-stop shop for advice for farmers.

Ms Courtney told McIntyre independent MLC and committee chair Tania Rattray that basing the jobs in the North reflected the value of the agricultural sector in the North and North-West.

The new staff would provide a statewide referral service so farmers could get information quickly and easily.