This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
THE ACT government is proposing to develop a new purpose built $300 million office building, in what will be the biggest capital project undertaken by the territory since self-government
ACT Department of Land and Property Services CEO David Dawes said rigorous independent analyses conducted over more than three years are in favour of developing a new government office building in Civic.
“This project is much more than a real estate transaction. It’s also about long-term cultural change and changing the way that government does business.
“Today we released 16 key reports and analysis on the project’s economic, environmental and social credentials. It was on the basis of this comprehensive independent analysis that the Government made its decision to proceed with the project,” he added.
Dawes said there were five options evaluated and the overwhelming conclusion of this rigorous assessment process was that the construction of a purpose built ACT government office building was by far the best option to deliver the superior environmental, economic and social benefits to the territory into the foreseeable future.
The new building, to be located on a government owned site adjacent to the Legislative Assembly Building in Civic, would involve the coâ€location of over 3,500 public servants across all departments and agencies.
The cost of the building is expected to be well under $300 million.
“This is biggest capital project undertaken since self-government and it’s fair to say that it has had more scrutiny than any project ever undertaken by the ACT Government and will be the model for future significant ACT projects.
“A government owned office building will not only be a great asset but will result in savings of more than $34 million every year,” he continued.
“Rather than paying property developers rent for something we will never own, we are building a purpose built, state of the art, environmentally sustainable building that will add value to the Territory’s balance sheet.
“The independent expert research and analysis demonstrates that owning our own Government Office Block is without doubt the best outcome for ACT public servants and for all ACT taxpayers,” Dawes concluded.
Australian Property Journal
