DESPITE the ACT Government deciding to go to the market for its new office accommodation, there is still one concern.
The original proposal had been for the Government to build its own accommodation at a projected cost of $432 million.
Constructing and developing office accommodation has long been considered non-core business for most governments and large organisations around Australia and, indeed, the world.
They generally leave it up to an industry equipped to stay within deadlines and budgets, while also delivering cost savings and the latest environmentally responsible technology.
But there is still the concern about how the proposed office building fitted into the ACT Government’s 2010 infrastructure plan, which covers major infrastructure works, including transport, education, health, water, energy and communications.
What were the reasons for deciding to allocate so much of Canberra’s limited infrastructure funding to this project over other listed infrastructure needs?
The ACT Property Council wants the infrastructure plan to be integrated with land planning and a sustainable transport plan as well as being adaptable to changing demographic and demand patterns.
If such a plan had been developed – where would this proposed building have ranked on its priorities list?
Catherine Carter is ACT executive director of the Property Council of Australia
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