State Budget 2011-12: Building the State - Department headquarters to get major overhaul, Redman
Author: Terry Redman
Published on: 20-May-2011
The State Government has announced a major redevelopment of the Department of Agriculture and Food’s headquarters in South Perth.
Premier Colin Barnett said renewal of the site would help ensure a progressive and profitable future for Western Australia’s agriculture and food sector.
The redevelopment program will include an existing allocation of $186.6million, with a further $48.4million to be applied in 2015-16.
“The department plays a crucial role in providing leadership and support to WA’s $7billion agriculture and food sector so it can thrive and advance in an increasingly competitive and variable operating environment,” Mr Barnett said.
“Our pledge to renew the facilities will ensure the State has the resources and access to the latest state-of-the-art technology to enable the department and its staff to help the sector continue to develop and prosper.”
The redevelopment process will start soon and be partly funded by the retirement of metropolitan land assets as works progress.
Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman said the redevelopment would reflect the department’s changing role.
“The department has undergone a major transformation in the past two years to become more dynamic, innovative and industry-focused and to effectively tackle the challenges and opportunities facing our agriculture and food sector,” Mr Redman said.
“The South Perth redevelopment will complement the department’s other facilities established in the regions in the past year, including the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Merredin and Katanning and the Managed Environment Facility joint venture at Merredin.
“It will also include the construction of a world-class grains facility, the Australian Export Grain Innovation Centre.
“This will enable the State Government to build on its contribution to the National Grains Research, Development and Extension Strategy under the national framework established by the Primary Industries Ministerial Council.”
Mr Redman said considerable examination had shown South Perth was the most cost-effective site for the department’s redeveloped headquarters.
“The department’s location alongside the Technology Park business centre and its close proximity to the city is ideal, especially with its whole-of supply-chain focus and increasing interaction with business and commercial interests,” he said.
“The South Perth redevelopment is considerably more cost effective than other joint venture or greenfield alternatives.
“Having said this, by closely examining the possibility of building a new headquarters on the Murdoch University campus, the Department of Agriculture and Food has developed a very close working relationship and identified many synergies with Murdoch University which the Liberal-National Government is confident will continue to grow over the coming years.”
Mr Redman was excited about the contribution the new facility would make to WA’s agriculture and food industries.
“After operating out of dilapidated 1950s-era buildings, the DAFWA will finally have a modern, suitable headquarters to help drive a positive future for all those involved in our sector,” he said.
