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Source: Peter Walsh - Minister for Water
South East Water plans to merge its three offices to one site in Frankston to improve staff efficiency and reduce operating costs, which will put downward pressure on water bills.
Water Minister Peter Walsh said 700 South East Water staff currently worked across three sites in Heatherton, Lynbrook and Dandenong South.
“As South East Water outgrew its original office in Heatherton, sites in other areas were needed. This has caused cost inefficiencies through the duplication of administration and building maintenance costs,” Mr Walsh said.
“As the current site leases near their expiration, it was determined that moving to one site instead of renewing those leases was the best value for money.
“Moving to a single head office at Frankston will save South East Water around $20 million over 20 years. Those savings will be passed onto customers.
“This is a great result for the South East Water business as a whole, as well as the wellbeing of its staff. No staff will lose their jobs as a result of the move.”
Mr Walsh said the consolidation, which had been in planning for 18 months, would also provide a boost to the Frankston economy.
“Frankston was chosen as the most appropriate site for South East Water’s head office because it is the most central location for their business, which services Melbourne’s south-east suburbs, Pakenham, Bunyip and the Mornington Peninsula,” Mr Walsh said.
“The Frankston location will also provide staff with far better access to public transport and will mean less travel to work for a majority of staff.
“Not only will this provide immediate benefits to Frankston through the creation of construction jobs, but it will provide a long-term boost to the retail and hospitality sectors as 700 more people start work in the town.”
Construction to South East Water’s new headquarters is expected to begin at the beginning of next year and staff transferred in 2015, when the leases on the current office buildings expire.
Media enquiries: Simon Price 0428 634 190 simon.price@minstaff.vic.gov.au
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