Penrith will be the new home of the Department of Sport and Recreation, NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell has confirmed.
Mr O’Farrell today announced plans to relocate and consolidate more than 3,000 public servants to new offices in western Sydney – a move that will boost the region’s economy and support local jobs as part of the NSW Government’s ‘decade of decentralisation’ policy.
“We’re for western Sydney and this decision will provide a significant economic boost. It’s a clear demonstration of the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government’s commitment to the region,” Mr O’Farrell said.
“Starting next year, more than 3,000 public servants will be relocated and consolidated to new offices at Penrith, Liverpool and Parramatta.
“The NSW Liberals & National Government has committed to a ‘decade of decentralisation’ and we are now delivering.
“Decentralisation makes economic sense and it has the added benefit of ensuring public servants are based in the communities they serve – improving the delivery of their services.”
Mr O’Farrell believes the move will assist in ensuring people can work closer to home.
“The relocation of these agencies will also provide more opportunities for western Sydney residents who want to work closer to where they live, and will help reduce congestion in the Sydney CBD,” he said.
“The move will create a huge amount of activity in western Sydney – stimulating development, supporting local businesses and creating jobs during construction of the new offices.”
The individual agencies identified to move into new premises will include:
• NSW Community Relations Commission and divisions within Family and Community Services – moving from Sydney CBD and Ashfield to Liverpool.
• Ambulance Service of NSW – moving from Rozelle to North Parramatta.
• NSW Sport and Recreation – moving from Sydney Olympic Park to Penrith.
• Office of Environment and Heritage, Environmental Protection Agency and NSW Office of State Revenue – moving from Sydney CBD, Hurstville and existing Parramatta offices to be co-located in Parramatta.
• Service NSW – moving from Sydney CBD to Parramatta.
“As current leases expire, we will move these agencies into the heart of communities they serve,” Mr O’Farrell said.
“In the coming weeks, the NSW Government will seek expressions of interest for 5,000 square metres of commercial space at each of the Penrith, Parramatta and Liverpool centres, which equates to between five and 10 stories of additional office space at each of the locations.
“The NSW Government will not own the new office accommodation, but will instead become an anchor tenant for new investment.
“This initiative is a credit to local MPs including Stuart Ayres, Geoff Lee, Tony Issa and Melanie Gibbons, who have lobbied for a greater share of government job opportunities in Western Sydney.”
“This decentralisation strategy adds to the huge infrastructure projects we are delivering for Western Sydney including WestConnex, the North West and South West Rail Links, Campbelltown and Blacktown hospital upgrades, as well delivering more nurses teachers and police.”
