Commerce Minister Simon O’Brien announcing the site.
Camera IconCommerce Minister Simon O’Brien announcing the site. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Public service site named

David Gear, Joondalup WeekenderWanneroo Times

On Tuesday, Premier Colin Barnett announced a State Government-owned section of land on the corner of Grand Boulevard and Kendrew Crescent, adjacent to the West Coast Institute of Training, as the location for the development.

‘This site is about 500m from a train station and will offer excellent amenity to both the Joondalup city centre and public transport,’ he said.

‘In addition to saving the Government money through not paying city rental rates, this will relieve some congestion on the roads into the city.’

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Commerce Minister Simon O’Brien said several government agencies had already indicated a preference to move some staff to Joondalup.

‘We will now explore all appropriate development options for the site and would expect the first agency to move in between 2016-18,’ he said.

Joondalup MLA Tony O’Gorman said he welcomed bringing more employment to Joondalup, but questioned whether the Government’s preferred site was the best option.

‘I am concerned that the site they have chosen is going to restrict any future expansion of West Coast Institute of Training’

Joondalup Mayor Troy Pickard said that while bringing more State Government employees to Joondalup made sense, the location earmarked for the development did not.

‘This site is disconnected from the Joondalup City Centre and will prevent the opportunity for further expansion of the West Coast Institute of Training, Edith Cowan University and the WA Police Academy,’ he said.

‘The focus of this precinct should be on future educational opportunities, with additional office accommodation ideally located in the heart of the Joondalup City Centre.’

Joondalup Business Association vice-president and property developer Russell Poliwka called on the Government to allow the private sector to develop the site.