New streamlined services for Kalgoorlie- Boulder

23/1/04
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan today announced a $3.5million shot in the arm for Boulder, after signing off on plans for a new Main Roads office at the site of the existing licensing centre.
Under the plan, Kalgoorlie-Boulder's 27 Main Roads staff will relocate to a new, purpose-built $3.5million building on Piesse Street, where the old licensing centre currently stands.
The second part of the plan will see licensing centre and staff move to an expanded one-stop shop on the corner of Brookman and Porter Streets, Kalgoorlie.
"We will now see major facilities in the heart of both Kalgoorlie and Boulder's business districts," Ms MacTiernan said.
"The project is an important example of how the Government can contribute to the viability of town centres.
"Apart from the benefits of a new facility in Boulder and an upgraded office in Kalgoorlie, the changes will ultimately provide a better service for all Goldfields residents.
"Instead of having to visit several offices around town for different services, for the first time the community will only have to enter one of two centrally-located buildings."
The changes are expected to be in place by the end of this financial year.
The Minister said providing all DPI services at one location had been successfully implemented at other regional locations.
"One of the objectives in creating the new Department for Planning and Infrastructure was to integrate the delivery of planning and transport services in WA," she said.
"The co-location of services in regional centres will help the department achieve this outcome.
"The establishment of similar one-stop shops in other regional centres, including Broome, Geraldton and Bunbury, has been very well received and significantly increased the level of customer service at each location."
Current staffing levels will not be affected.
Services at the department's new regional office include:

• driver licensing and vehicle registrations;
• town planning - subdivision and building applications;
• taxis, travel subsidies, cycling and school bus issues;
• boat registrations, marine qualifications, marine safety and oil pollution, marine facilities, marine charts and navigation commercial vessel surveys;
• road safety; and
• freight, passenger transport and aviation queries.

Boulder customers wanting to complete DPI-invoiced licensing transactions such as licence renewals, vehicle registrations, transfers and penalty payments, will still be able to do so at the Boulder Post Office.
Eyre MLA John Bowler said the announcement was excellent news for the Goldfields.
"I think it's a win-win-win with Main Roads obtaining new facilities, Boulder getting more workers and the DPI services being located on one site instead of being split," Mr Bowler said.
"This is just another example of the commitment the Gallop Government has to the Goldfields.
"The Main Roads office in Hannan Street was where I first worked after leaving Eastern Goldfields Senior High School.
"I have fond memories of these times.
"However, the offices are old - I'm sure the current Main Roads' workers will welcome the new facilities to be built in Boulder."
Minister's office: 9213 6400