Date: 19/03/2008
Source: Press Release
A
landmark independent report into the decentralisation of State Government
services could provide Queensland
with a blueprint to significantly ease traffic congestion in the south-east
corner, said Springfield Land Corporation chairman, Maha
Sinnathamby.
“The
Decentralisation of Core Government Services” report by independent researcher
Dr Steven Ward, has added weight to the argument that the Queensland Government
can play an important leading role in relocating some services and jobs to the
people.
The
report, the first by the UDIA’s newly-established Research Institute, shows how
the Bligh Government could help take thousands of cars off the road every day;
at a time when traffic congestion in South-East Queensland
is at its worst in 15 years.
Mr
Sinnathamby said he commended the UDIA for embarking on the research and
welcomed its findings.
He
said the report gave the Queensland Government a blueprint for managing
population growth in South-East Queensland
through the use of smart economic and social decision making.
“We
welcome a report that provides a sensible solution to the growing transport
issues affecting South-East Queensland. It makes sense to manage growth over the next
15 to 20 years by focusing on enlivening the economies of Greater Brisbane,”
said Mr Sinnathamby.
“With
so many people living outside of a 20km radius of the city, and with the
Western Corridor already the fastest growth area in the country, it makes
perfect sense that a number of Government services, along with employees, be
moved to where the people are.
“What
we are talking about here is actually improving the lives of those who live in
the Greater Brisbane area who are already battling a long commute to work, less
time with family and the economic burden this places on them.
“People
want to work where they live and play and they can do this if the State
Government takes the lead in decentralising more services. I would expect the
private sector would then follow that example.”
The
UDIA report argues that there needs to be a good business case built for the
government to support decentralisation of some of its work force.
Mr
Sinnathamby said that business case was established with the potential savings
from the rapidly rising cost of CBD rents and the leadership shown by other
states such as New South Wales and Victoria to
decentralise.
The
report found accommodation costs were the second-highest recurrent expenditure
for the Queensland Government behind wages and salaries.
Premium
office space in the Brisbane CBD was now around $850 per sqm, while the cost of
space in the soon-to-be-opened Springfield
Tower was around $350 per
sqm.
The
Report shows the Queensland Government occupies 22% of all CBD office space –
in Sydney, the New South Wales Government
occupies 10% and in Melbourne,
the Victorian Government occupies just 8% of all CBD space.
Massive
employment opportunities were also being created in the Western Corridor, Mr
Sinnathamby said.
“In
Springfield
alone, we will be creating 1 job for every 3 residents in the next decade, and
these are jobs that exist just minutes from their homes,” Mr Sinnathamby said.
“The
ICT infrastructure that we have created will also be a major attraction for
companies looking for business solutions that cannot be retrofitted in the
Brisbane CBD. It also means that we have an information super-highway where
people can work from home.”
About
Springfield Land Corporation
Springfield Land Corporation is the
master-planner of the $15 billion plus 2,860 hectare Greater Springfield city.
This is a city unlike any other in Australia. Acquired in 1992, Greater Springfield offers
‘greater possibilities’ for all who make it their home. Just a short drive from Brisbane and with world-class facilities,
Greater Springfield offers the perfect alternative to the Brisbane CBD. It features a world class CBD featuring a
dedicated Education hub (Education City), Health precinct (Health City),
Business centre (Parkside), Data Centre (Polaris Data Centre), major town
parklands (Robell Domain) as well as a shopping and entertainment precinct
(Orion Town Centre). With so much
activity underway, more than $600+ million is being spent annually on the
Greater Springfield project. With more
than 16,000 residents already living here and three families moving to Greater
Springfield every day, it is no wonder it is one of the fastest growing
communities in Australia. Additional information about Springfield Land
Corporation and its Greater Springfield project is available at www.greaterspringfield.com.au <http://www.greaterspringfield.com.au/>
For further
information contact:
Jodie Curtis
Marketing Executive
Springfield Land Corporation
P: (07) 3819 9902
E: j.curtis@murgroup.com.au
