The Western Australian Government has announced plans to relocate government offices to locations outside of the Perth CBD.

 

The WA Finance Minister Simon O’Brien has predicted that consolidation and relocation could save up to $25 million per year by 2015.

 

Mr O’Brien said the Government is currently spending approximately $220 million on office accommodation, and agencies occupy about 360,000sqm in the Perth CBD, East Perth and West Perth, spread across 148 separate lease agreements.

 

He said that consolidation of Government offices will cut the number of buildings used from 96 to 15.

 

“While there is going to be up-front costs to fit out these buildings, in the long term it is going to save taxpayers money. The replacement accommodation for Governor Stirling Tower has been obtained for $14.5 million per year, as opposed to $22 million per year had the Government continued the expensive Perth CBD lease procurement process commenced under the previous Labor government.

 

The State Government has commenced the consolidation by leasing the entire office space available in the 19-storey tower under construction at 140 William Street, Perth.

 

When fully occupied, 140 William Street will accommodate approximately 2,500 Government officers from about 10 agencies.  

 

 Secondly, the Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF) is leading relocating two of its divisions - Government Procurement; and Building Management and Works - to a new decentralised 13,200sqm office building, the Optima Centre, in Herdsman Business Park in April.