Chief Minister Katy Gallagher and Deputy Chief Minister Andrew Barr viewed potential sites for ACT Government office accommodation in Gungahlin, following nine registrations of interest to build the offices from the private sector.

 

The Government leadership team also announced that about 500 ACT Government shared services staff would be moving to Gungahlin in 2014-15.

 

"In May last year, the government announced we would move 500 staff to Gungahlin," Ms Gallagher said.

 

"Those staff will be from Shared Services in the Treasury Directorate - moving many of them from the aged accommodation at Callam Offices in Woden.

 

Ms Gallagher said the government has received nine registrations of interest from the development sector to build offices - both on our land and developer's own land - and we are aiming to start building this year or early next.

 

She said the move would be a positive move for the town’s businesses and residents.

 

“Not only are we bringing 500 jobs to the town centre, but this will in turn create jobs as businesses grow and open in Gungahlin," Ms Gallagher said.

 

The move to Gungahlin comes as part of an overall Government accommodation strategy that has appropriate and safe accommodation for public servants at its core.

 

"The ACT Government employs over 18000 staff. [These include]: nurses; teachers; fire fighters; and we have a responsibility to ensure their occupational health and safety - including through the supply of safe and appropriate office accommodation," Mr Barr said.

 

"The decision to move Shared Services staff out of Callam offices means these staff will move out of a run-down and aged facility, into appropriate and more environmentally friendly accommodation,” he said.

 

“This will ensure a better working environment."