This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
PRIMEWEST has secured a deal with the federal government to build a brand new office building for Services Australia in Western Australian regional city of Bunbury.
The company will develop, design and construct the 4,500 sqm building that will house what was formerly Department of Human Services, and which delivers government payments and services such as Centrelink, Medicare and Child Support.
Services Australia has committed to a 10-year lease. An estimated 370 employees will work from the new building, and the development phase will create more than 145 jobs, with about 12% of the on-site workforce expected to be new apprenticeships.
Designed by Cox Architecture, the four storey, A-grade office building is earmarked for completion by mid-2022.
Perth-based Primewest is planning to further develop the site to create an office park on the land surrounding the new build. A Primewest fund owns the adjoining Bunbury Centrepoint shopping centre.
Jemma Hutchinson, Primewest’s national leasing manager, said the deal had been two years in the making.
“This project will leave a lasting legacy on the Bunbury CBD footprint and create a huge number of jobs at a time when employment and private investment is greatly needed.
“We have worked for a long time to secure this deal and are extremely optimistic about the further development of the area with negotiations already underway with potential tenants for the remainder of the site.”
Primewest director Jim Litis said he was delighted to extend the property fund manager’s tenant relationship with Services Australia in Bunbury, adding that the Commonwealth government is a major tenant across its property portfolio.
Primewest made $376 million in acquisitions over the first half, and posted assets under management increase of 8.9% to $4.9 billion.
Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan said the project will further add to the vibrancy and viability of the City’s Central Business Area.
