Government office plan

A new plan to shift state government agencies out of the CBD into the suburban office market has attracted the interest of the Town of Vincent, which is hoping to secure a large share of any potential move.

The draft document, by the Department of Housing and Works, has a number of key objectives for planning the government's office footprint from 2009 to 2012, including assessing whether agencies need to be in the CBD and the cost benefit of being there, as well as improving sustainability and density standards.

Town of Vincent director of development services, Robert Boardman, said DHW had expressed an interest in moving government tenants to the town as part of its strategic plan.

"One of the main drivers seems to be the financial considerations around the high cost of [office] accommodation in the CBD and the associated transport costs of staff travel. The thrust of the strategy is towards the suburban areas, more particularly to inner-city satellite commercial and business centres, like Leederville, Subiaco and perhaps Stirling," Mr Boardman said.

"DHW sees Leederville as being well-located strategically, because there is a lot of land available for redevelopment. It is also perhaps the only train station to link the southern and northern train lines."

Options for the government include a joint venture arrangement with the Town of Vincent, whereby the town will build new offices on the basis of a pre-commitment, similar to its existing arrangement with the Department of Sport and Recreation.

Also likely is the redevelopment of a number of government-owned sites, including the School of Isolated and Distance Education, on Vincent Street, and the Leederville Tafe site. The Water Corporation is also currently seeking expressions of interest for an office redevelopment of its Leederville site.

The Town of Vincent has its own strategic plan for new offices, including a tranche of land in West Perth that was transferred from the City of Perth last year.

Main Roads holds a large parcel of land within the nominated area, and is in the process of putting together plans for a high density, mixed-use development there, although the agency is yet to lodge a development application with the town.