Pollution response officers Matt Peers and Lara Saunder at the new headquarters in Joondalup.
Camera IconPollution response officers Matt Peers and Lara Saunder at the new headquarters in Joondalup. Credit: Supplied/Martin Kennealey d491196

Government water workers move to Joondalup

Tyler BrownJoondalup Times

THEY’VE moved in.

After a small hiccup with water testing, about 700 State Government water staff started moving into their new Joondalup headquarters on Monday.

Department of Water and Environmental Regulation corporate services director Geoff Gilbert said Prime House had been designed to encourage teamwork and collaboration, and to enhance the delivery of high-quality services and project outcomes.

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“The fit-out features integrated technology and spaces for greater collaboration between staff and includes co-working spaces for other public sector agency employees to work some of their time in Joondalup,” he said.

“Co-working spaces will also become available in the Perth CBD and Fremantle.

“The move has provided an opportunity for the department to review ways of working that facilitate a one-stop-shop for water and environmental regulation services for industry and developers.

“The relocation will also enable staff to work with local industry and develop new relationships with the City of Joondalup, ECU, WA Police and North Metro Tafe.”

A new four-bin system – blue for paper, green for food waste, red for general rubbish to landfill, and yellow for co-mingled recycling – is replacing desk bins for a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly office.

The department has also been implementing a ‘paper-lite’ way of working, encouraging digital documents for reduced paper use.

To further support staff to facilitate a customer-focused organisation, early workers will have access to a trail department Blue Cat bus from 6.41am from Joondalup train station.

A staff transport survey also showed the amount of nearby paid day-parking bays available exceeds the number of workers who specified they would drive, and there are more bicycle parking spaces in the building than workers who stated they would ride.

The current annual lease cost for Prime House is $5,643,592.78. An agreement for lease has been signed for 15 years, with extension options.

Key benefits of the department’s four-bin-system

Reduced use of plastic bags – which can take 400-1000 years to break down, not to mention the non-renewable resources used to create them.

30 per cent increase to recycling rates is anticipated by diverting more waste from landfill, with personal desk bins largely used for general waste.

Better use of cleaning staff resources and reduced pest control services, saving taxpayer dollars.

Staff health and wellbeing, by encouraging regular breaks from desks to stretch muscles and increase circulation.