Modernization of Government Office in Nowra: $5 Million Facelift to Accommodate 260 Staff

The Department of Local Government office in Nowra, originally opened 22 years ago, is set to undergo a $5 million transformation into a modern, agile office space. This upgrade will provide over 1,800 square meters of flexible, contemporary office space for more than 260 government employees from various departments, including the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure. However, it's worth noting that the new design will feature only 147 work points, or individual desks and workstations, with collaboration zones and meeting rooms. This design is intended to promote collaboration and knowledge sharing among staff, allowing them to choose available workstations as needed.

Key Takeaways:

• The upgrade of the government office in Nowra will provide over 1,800 square meters of flexible, contemporary office space for more than 260 government employees from various departments.
• The new design will feature only 147 work points, or individual desks and workstations, with collaboration zones and meeting rooms, intended to promote collaboration and knowledge sharing among staff.
• The modern, agile office design will allow staff to choose available workstations as needed, ensuring efficient use of office space.
• The upgrade has the potential to accommodate 100 additional staff if needed, providing space to expand the hub to include additional government agencies or a private sector tenant in future.
• The project will be delivered by Intermain Pty Ltd, with works scheduled to commence at the end of July and expected to engage about 30 local subcontractors throughout the project.
• The upgraded building will meet the latest NSW Government workplace design standards, including a focus on providing accessible workspaces that meet a range of user needs.
• The upgrade has been welcomed by the State Member for South Coast, Liza Butler, who stated that it is a major investment in Nowra's future, providing more than 30 local subcontractors with work and allowing government workers to stay and grow their careers in the area.
• Lands and Property Minister, Steve Kamper, described the upgrade as a major milestone for Nowra and the broader Shoalhaven region, delivering modern, sustainable, and efficient office space for hundreds of public servants.

Statistics:

• The upgrade will provide over 1,800 square meters of office space for more than 260 government employees.
• The new design will feature 147 work points, or individual desks and workstations.
• The project has the potential to accommodate 100 additional staff, expanding the hub to include additional government agencies or a private sector tenant in future.
• The project is expected to engage about 30 local subcontractors throughout the construction period.
• The upgraded building will meet the following sustainability standards: 5.5-star energy rating, 3-star water rating, and 4-star greenstar rating.

Sources:

• Glenn Ellard, "More staff but fewer workstations in modern, agile government offices", [no date mentioned]