A survey of staff at the statutory body, conducted by the Community and Public Sector Union and seen by The Examiner, has thrown the spotlight on internal ill feeling towards Pete Smith.

Much of it stems from Heritage Tasmania's perceived mismanagement of the state's heritage register, in which more than 5000 places of heritage value are listed.

But the survey has also highlighted a culture of bullying and harassment, and staff say a toxic workplace atmosphere has fomented under current management.

The Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment Department has said it takes the issues raised by staff seriously.

"Heritage Tasmania and DPIPWE continually monitor our workplaces to ensure we are providing a healthy and safe work environment, and a positive workplace experience for all employees," DPIPWE said previously.

However, when Heritage Tasmania employees were asked to identify what they would like to see changed, survey responses included "a change in toxic leadership", "a new director" and "a manager who focuses less on time, and more on output".

They described the workplace as "difficult", "unhealthy", "uncomfortable" and "devoid of leadership".

A staggering 0 per cent of respondents agreed with the statement "I have confidence in the Heritage Tasmania leadership team to effectively manage the Tasmanian Heritage Register".

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Equally worryingly, 0 per cent of staff surveyed agreed that stakeholders, both inside and outside the public service, had "confidence in the professional integrity of Heritage Tasmania".

In response to widespread staff unrest, Heritage Tasmania and DPIPWE are implementing a cultural change action plan in a bid to arrest spiralling morale. "Actions in the plan focus on all HT staff and managers, including the director," a department spokesperson said.

But, according to the survey, 0 per cent of staff are satisfied that management is committed to cultural change within the organisation.

Mr Smith was contacted for comment.

DPIPWE hasn't escaped the ire of Heritage Tasmania staff either, with just 25 per cent of respondents agreeing that the department was committed to cultural change, 25 per cent being neutral, 12.5 per cent disagreeing and 37.5 per cent strongly disagreeing.

A department spokesperson said Heritage Tasmania was working closely with the Tasmanian Heritage Council to develop a registration plan and "a series of associated projects" designed to address "long-term legacy issues" with the heritage register.

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