State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman says the Government's aiming to reduce state sector office space by about 25% in the next three to four years, producing annual savings of about NZ$110 million.
The Government released a new "national accommodation strategy" today.
"In the past government agencies have negotiated leases in isolation, this strategy means that a central approach will be taken," Coleman said.
The new strategy provided an "over-arching framework" to enable state agencies to deliver a more co-ordinated approach across New Zealand, "reducing the footprint of government and achieving considerable savings".
"This consolidated approach has already been adopted in Wellington where a five-agency deal is currently being negotiated. It is expected to result in a 30% reduction in net office footprint – the equivalent of seven rugby fields - and savings of NZ$338 million over 20 years.," Coleman said
A similar approach would be taken in Christchurch where a tender process for office accommodation in the CBD was launched earlier this year.
“Savings made through the co-location of similar agencies and shared use of some facilities will also have the added benefit of making it easier for people to access government services.”
The Government National Property Strategy and Principles released today sets strategic objectives and provides agencies with a benchmark to measure property plans and decisions.
The Property Management Centre of Expertise (PMCoE) was established in 2011 to manage public sector office accommodation in a more efficient way.
PMCoE is developing a range of practice tools including standard government leases, building performance specifications, a website where property managers can share best practice and identify expertise, and a brokerage service that enables surplus space in the Crown estate to be available to all agencies.
The Crown Office Estate report for 2011 – 2012 was also released today showing progress made to date, most notably a reduction across the estate of 51,000sqm.
9 Comments
While the shutting down of Ruakura and Invermay CRI's (after John Key's musings on needing more regional development earlier this week that people were celebrating) is supposedly not about job loses (relocating to Lincoln and Grasslands), I would be interested to see the number of staff left standing at the end.
I thought the whole high speed internet thing was about making it easier to collaborate regardless of where you are based.
The new strategy provided an "over-arching framework" to enable state agencies to deliver a more co-ordinated approach across New Zealand, "reducing the footprint of government and achieving considerable savings".
I understand from one of those affected "cheek by jowl" work stations are replacing individual work cubicles. The same space saving method employed at bank dealing rooms for 30 years or more.
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