Disability Services Commission to move to new premises early next year

24/6/98

The Disability Services Commission is to move to new premises early next year.

Disability Services Minister Paul Omodei said the agency, which provides and funds services to people with disabilities throughout Western Australia, would be moving to a new property currently under construction in Colin Street, West Perth, early in 1999.

Mr Omodei said the DSC had conducted an exhaustive analysis of the leasing market before deciding on the Colin Street site, which would consolidate the agency's operations under one roof.

"It has been acknowledged for some time that the DSC's existing office arrangements were far from satisfactory, with 220 staff spread across four sites around the West Perth area" he said.

"The original building which houses most staff at 53 Ord Street dates back to 1979 and was built for the then Authority for Intellectually Handicapped Persons, and to house a considerably smaller workforce," he said.

"Since that time, the role and responsibility of the DSC has grown significantly to encompass a broad range of disabilities and the agency has simply outgrown its headquarters."

Mr Omodei said the DSC had considered eight other properties in the metropolitan area over the past 12 months, but none had met its specific requirements as well as the Colin Street building.

"This site was chosen because it offered the advantages of a new building, such as energy efficiency and up-to-date technology, and because the fit-out can be designed during construction and will offer significant savings over an existing building," he said.

"But most importantly, disability access into the building can be incorporated at an early stage, to ensure that facilities such as toilets and lifts are designed to suit people with disabilities, that doorways are wide enough, that we have included gently-sloping ramps for access to the building and sufficient parking bays for people with disabilities."

Mr Omodei said the building was located close to the central business district, and close to a good public transport system, making it convenient for both staff and clients.

He said the DSC would take out a 10-year lease on the building, which is located on the old Atkins Carlyle site, with an additional three options of three years each. He said the department would occupy about 90 per cent of the new building, cover all three floors, and take up approximately 3,200sqm.

Mr Omodei said three of the four sites currently used by the DSC were leased, but the Ord Street site would be offered for public auction later this year.

The 6,800sqm site includes a four-storey office block, two Federation houses and ample parking. Money raised by the sale of the site would be used by the DSC to service existing debt.

Media contact: Hugh Ryan 9366 0200