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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-10-29 Daily Xml
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Parliamentary Committees

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE: CONSERVATORY OFFICE ACCOMMODATION FITOUT

Ms CICCARELLO (Norwood) (17:53): I move:

That the 334th report of the committee, entitled Conservatory Office Accommodation Fitout, be noted.

The Department of Trade and Economic Development is accommodated in Terrace Towers at 178 North Terrace and 50 Pirie Street. The leases in both buildings are due for expiry in December 2009.

The co-location of all operational units into one site will achieve operational efficiencies, while fostering improved staff morale. The department is a small agency and the divisions have a high level of interdependency for the delivery of policy and programs.

The department will construct an office accommodation fitout in The Conservatory located at Hindmarsh Square, 131 to 139 Grenfell Street, Adelaide. The government has entered into a commitment to lease the required space from Hines Property with $5.061 million as the estimated government capital cost contribution for the fitout.

The lease commencement date is 1 December 2009, subject to practical completion conditions, and the department being given access to the premises prior to then in order to undertake the fitout work. The Green Building Council of Australia's five-star Green Star Office Interior rating will be targeted throughout the design process.

The capital budget includes the construction works, furniture fittings and equipment, professional fees, relocation costs and design and construction contingencies necessary to deliver the fitout in accordance with the appropriate standards of office accommodation for government agencies. Each floor has been designed in a flexible, generic manner with minor deviations to suit particular business units. The design incorporates a central built zone on each floor which accommodates all enclosed offices, meeting rooms, quiet rooms and utility spaces and allows the open workstation areas to receive maximum daylight and views.

Each floor incorporates a work cafe, incorporating comfortable seating, informal meeting spaces and kitchen facilities and is available for staff to hold informal meetings, interact, communicate and socialise. The fitout will accommodate 230 DTED staff. Approximately 5 per cent will be accommodated in enclosed offices and the remainder in open plan workstations. The only diversion from the generic plan will be two floors which will accommodate the main reception and a specialised reception for the migration business unit. The fitout provides external meeting facilities, interview rooms and conference spaces as well as office accommodation.

The mixed use nature of the development will realise synergies and benefits. For example, cogeneration is ideal since the power will be used by the office floors whilst the waste heat will be used by residential floors. This will result in reductions in greenhouse gas emissions of 115 tonnes of CO₂ per annum.

The accommodation at 178 North Terrace is a prime location but the tenancy area offers little scope to adapt it to contemporary workspaces to enable greater collaboration and interaction. There are limited meeting rooms and staff breakout spaces, and the fitout is over 15 years old. Many areas would require a substantial refit to meet modern work practices, and they have little access to natural light. The building design dictates the floor layout and presents significant limitations for any future changes.

Because of the high profile nature of its business operations, an important location factor for the Department of Trade and Economic Development is marketing the benefits and vibrancy of Adelaide. A centrally located CBD site is best able to deliver this requirement, especially to visiting dignitaries or potential investors.

The relocation to The Conservatory will reduce the department's current area allocation by 524 square metres and contribute to the government's energy reduction targets. It will also create an open and more flexible environment, introduce alternative work practices such as hot desking, and promote efficiencies in the workplace by co-locating the majority of working groups and improving communication between staff.

Given these benefits, pursuant to section 12C of the Parliamentary Committees Act 1991, the Public Works Committee recommends the proposed public work.

Debate adjourned on motion of Mr Pisoni.


At 18:01 the house adjourned until Tuesday 17 November 2009 at 11:00.


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