City administration relocation update

The City of Cockburn's response to PerthNow Cockburn on 10, 12 & 17 January 2022

Question: How is the relocation project going?
Answer: It is being reviewed in light of the impacts of Covid.
 
Question: Whereabouts in Cockburn Central will it be?
Answer: Sites are still being reviewed.
 
Question: What are some of the plans for the existing Spearwood admin site?
Answer: These have not yet been developed, and will be progressed over the next 12-18 months.
 
Question: What are the next steps?
Answer: The City will undertake a review of impacts from Covid, including potential for working remotely or from home.
 
We also need to review what functionality is needed at a Cockburn Central site to help meet community needs and provide a facility that is commensurate with Cockburn Central’s emerging position and status as the principal strategic centre for the southern Perth metropolitan region.
 
We also need to ensure appropriate services and functionality within the Spearwood site and how we can also effectively utilise our Operations Centre in Bibra Lake.
 
The overriding objective is ensuring best practice services to our community while also achieving value for money.
 
Question: Have development plans for both sites been released yet? If not, when?
Answer: As per Q3.
 
Question: Has COVID-19 impacted the timeline for the relocation?
Answer: Yes.
 
Question: When will the admin be relocated?
Answer: The timeframe is yet to be determined.
 
Question: Has this timeframe been delayed?
Answer: Yes.

Question: Was there an initial planned timeframe for the relocation?
Answer: When the City conducted initial community consultation on the proposal in March 2020, both the relocation and redevelopment processes were expected to take a number of years to progress, dependent on further public consultation and Council decision-making. 

Question: Is the City reviewing whether to go ahead with the relocation at all?
Answer: The City is committed to having a presence and principal centre within Cockburn Central. This reflects the emergence of Cockburn Central as the principal strategic centre for the Perth southern metropolitan region. Much the same as Joondalup is the principal regional centre for Perth’s north.
 
Question: PerthNow/Cockburn Gazette received a map of a proposed location (Lot 104 Legacy Way) in August 2020 for the new admin at Cockburn Central. Was the future site not already determined or was there flexibility on where the new admin building(s) would end up?
Answer: The site at Lot 104 Legacy Way remains the base case site. However, as would be sensible with any review, the City is reassessing other sites and opportunities within Cockburn Central. This reflects the City’s desire to ensure it delivers best value for its ratepayers and the community.
 
Question: Is it possible that the admin building may not need to be as big as previously earmarked and therefore may not require as much space?
Answer: As previously noted, the City is reviewing all considerations, from the size but also the composition of what is contained within the future Cockburn Central Civic Building to ensure it meets the needs of all Cockburn ratepayers and constituents, and reflects the primacy of Cockburn Central’s position as the principal regional centre for the Perth southern metropolitan region.