Story by KATIE BASTIANS
PERTH city council has lodged a formal submission slamming the Liberals on their plan to move government office accommodation out of the CBD.
Council staff argue the move will have a knock on affect for small businesses in the area who will lose customers, undermine efforts to add vitality to the city and contradict state government investment in transport in the central Perth area.
It will mean a loss of 4,000 to 5,000 workers from the capital city, most of which will be drained from East Perth.
Commerce minister Bill Marmion is staying firm on the issue, pointingout other metro councils are rubbing their hands with glee at the plan—like Stirling–because offices will move into their territory.
The plan, which Mr Marmion says will save between $15 and $25 million per year by 2015 in rent, will see bureaucrats shifted out to “activity centres” such as Stirling, Joondalup and Fremantle.
“Under the master plan, it is proposed to reduce existing Government office accommodation space in the City by 15 to 20 per cent,” Mr Marmion said.
Cr Rob Butler wanted to draw the government’s attention to PCC staffs’ suggestion to rather relocate offices to East and West Perth which would save them money—a thought bubble the minister decided not to respond to in his answers to the Voice.
Staff also took a swipe at the government for committing buckets of money to the Link and Waterfront developments, yet not providing stability in tenancy.
“It’s like the captain is jumping ship,” Cr Evangel chimed.
“It’s tough economic times…what sort of message is this sending outthe commercial world?” she posed.
“Small businesses are hanging in there and they’re just deserting us, it’s so short-sighted.”
Mr Marmion says the parts of the plan aim to add vitality and development of the city.
Departments which remain in the CBD after will be fused into 15 to 20 Government leased or owned buildings, including the new development at 140 William Street and the Old Treasury Building.
It will also create precincts such as justice agencies near the Supreme court, health and education departments in Royal Street (East Perth) and state development agencies near Westralia Square.
PCC staff warned this would condemn these areas to dead spaces at night, referencing Jan Gehl’s study.
The superstar architect recommended Perth stop creating “monocultures” by having designated areas and rather have mixed use areas which would encourage more 24 hour spaces.
The feedback and comment period on the Government Office Accommodation Master Planning discussion paper closes on August 31.
