The latest report on property occupancy by Agencies of the Australian Government reveals a continued improvement in efficiency and value for money according to the Assistant Minister for Finance, David Coleman.
Releasing the 2017 Australian Government Occupancy Report, Mr Coleman said that since 2014 the Government had reduced its overall rental property footprint by more than nine per cent.
In the same period he said, the number of occupied work-points had increased by almost four per cent.
“This improved utilisation of space has meant that median occupational density has dropped by 14 per cent,” Mr Coleman said.
“In 2014 the median occupational density was 20.7 square metres, in 2017 it was 17.8 square metres”.
He said savings in lease costs were expected to exceed $100 million over four years.
“In addition, the divestment strategy has delivered in excess of $128 million with the sale of properties in the Parliamentary Triangle alone.”
Mr Coleman said Operation Tetris had successfully filled close to 70,000 square metres of office space that was previously rented by the Commonwealth but not used.
He said the improved utilisation was expected to realise savings of $300 million over 10 years.
“With annual expenditure in excess of $2 billion, it’s critical that the Commonwealth property portfolio is managed in an efficient and effective manner,” Mr Coleman said.
“Very substantial improvements have already been made, capturing significant savings for taxpayers. The Government will continue to focus on driving further efficiencies across its property portfolio.”
The 2017 Occupancy Report report can be accessed on the Department of Finance website at this PS News link.
