Page 5665 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 6 December 2011
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Currently a number of ACT government-owned buildings are reaching a point in their life cycle where they require significant capital investment. All of the leased buildings are reaching the end of their lease term. Additionally, only eight per cent of the entire property portfolio is classified A grade, none is green star rated and approximately 10 per cent has a NABERS environmental rating. As such, an opportunity now exists to consider a better long-term solution for the government’s accommodation portfolio.
As I have said repeatedly, the government is committed to accommodating our public service in buildings which will maximise productivity and provide safe and professional workplaces for the staff who serve our community, meet our responsibility to the environment and our greenhouse gas reduction targets and deliver the most financially responsible option for the budget and territory taxpayers. These principles underpin the government’s office accommodation strategy.
As I have advised the Assembly previously, this strategy is indeed influenced by the government’s decision to locate facilities in Gungahlin and the need for a CBD presence. This will see significant consolidation in the current office accommodation and changes our previous requirements for refits, refurbishments and relocations. The whole-of-government accommodation strategy is being finalised in association with consultants peckvonhartel and KPMG. I am anticipating its completion before the end of this calendar year.
As I have outlined previously, the strategy will include an analysis of all of the owned and leased properties to assess their compliance with the government’s objectives for office accommodation. It will include recommendations about whether or not these properties should be retained. In addition, the strategy will examine whether the government’s office utilisation standards are still appropriate and reflect best practice. The strategy will make recommendations for the composition of the government’s property portfolio and assess the advantages or otherwise of whether the assets in the portfolio should be leased or owned.
MR SPEAKER: Are you prepared to table the statement, Mr Barr? Then we can have a discussion on it.
MR BARR: Yes, I am happy to do that.
Mr Hanson interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr Hanson; the commentary is not necessary.
MR BARR: I table the following paper:
Government office block project—Statement.
I move:
That the Assembly takes note of the paper.
Debate (on motion by Mr Smyth) adjourned to the next sitting.
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