Output 9.1 Property Services
Overview
The directorate, through the ACT Property Group (ACTPG), manages 251 Territory-owned commercial buildings, government office accommodation, community/multipurpose buildings, aquatic centres and 38 leases in commercial buildings on behalf of the Territory. This number includes a number of blocks of land, several unique properties, including converted schools that have been adapted to provide accommodation for community organisations and a number of significant heritage sites such as Albert Hall and the Tuggeranong Homestead.
The directorate received $98.9 million in revenue from rent and the delivery of property upgrades and services and paid a dividend of $1.6 million to the ACT Government. The directorate managed a planned maintenance program for properties it was custodian of.
In 2017-18, the directorate provided $31.2 million in property upgrade services and $19.8 million in planned and reactive maintenance services on properties across the ACT Government portfolio, managed by the directorate and those of our major clients, being the Education and Health directorates. The directorate also operated a 24 hour, seven day a week trades and services response centre to ensure urgent work is carried out following any major incident. The response centre received in excess of 14,000 calls and raised over 15,800 work orders during the 2017-18 period.
The directorate has two specialist staff who assist ACT Government directorates to develop and implement energy efficiency initiatives. In 2017-18 these staff provided technical advice and support on sustainability initiatives in relation to buildings and sites that consume significant amounts of electricity. These officers also provided advice and support to Building Management Committees that oversee the operation of ACT Government occupied buildings to ensure that energy efficiency targets are met.
Highlights
In 2017-18, the directorate:
- commenced the implementation of the 2017-18 Budget initiative on Smarter Government Spending involving the centralisation of non-specialised property services. This involved working with directorates in a partnership approach to optimise the delivery of the single service model. The aim of the initiative is to release savings from the management of property services in a more coordinated approach including on decision-making and leveraging economies of scale available from the WoG approach. A business readiness program is also underway to prepare ACTPG for its expanded role;
- expanded the property portfolio with the transfer of five public pools from Active Canberra. It also assumed responsibility for the construction and delivery of the new Stromlo Leisure Centre and the Belconnen Health Centre;
- capital funding was provided for work on the owned building portfolio including:
- an upgrade of the Callam Offices to improve the exterior and functionality of the building ($1.841m);
- finalising the replacement of the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system in the North Building ($3.055m);
- replacement of the HVAC facilities at Albert Hall ($0.437 million) as part of the 90th year celebration; and
- upgrading facilities at the National Convention Centre ($1.180 million).
- managed the hire of the Albert Hall, Yarralumla Woolshed, Fitters Workshop and Former Transport Depot for 317 events and functions. The hire portfolio was expanded with the addition of two community halls for management at Giralang and Tharwa and the Black Mountain Slipway. The venue with the highest number of bookings was Albert Hall with 123 events over
189 days;
Testimonial
“Over the past year there has been an impressive performance by ACT Property Group to keep Albert Hall looking its best and to enhance its amenity. Albert Hall looked absolutely stunning for its 90th birthday celebration. We also applaud the success of ACT Property Group in continuing to attract a significant number of community and commercial users and to actively promote Albert Hall, including through the Facebook page. We appreciate, too, helpful and ongoing collaboration between Friends of the Albert Hall and the ACT Property Group through the Albert Hall Management Reference Group.”
Dr Peter Lundy RFD, President, Friends of the Albert Hall Inc.
- erected flags/banners for events such as Anzac Day, Canberra Day, and to celebrate international events and visits from heads of state such as President of Ireland, Prime Minster of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, President of the Republic of Croatia, Prime Minster of Vanuatu and others;
- provided support for the ART by processing a further 25 properties in 2017-18 bringing the total under management by ACTPG to 953, and handed over 933 for demolition; and
- undertook a $13.92 million Capital Upgrade Project program to upgrade ACT Government owned properties including childcare facilities; community facilities and government owned buildings, and aquatic centres.
The directorate exceeded three of its four accountability targets against this output. The measure not met was:
- Use of Renewable Energy – (target 5%, outcome 0%) where delays in the procurement process meant that this was not completed until August 2018.
Future Direction
In 2018-19 the directorate will:
- continue the implementation of the single service model in partnership with directorates; and
- build further capability into ACTPG’s maintenance operations in the areas of certification and compliance.
Further information can be obtained from
Shaun Strachan
Deputy Under Treasurer
Commercial Services and Infrastructure
+ 61 2 6207 1001
Shaun.Strachan@act.gov.au
Daniel Bailey
Executive Director
Procurement, Property and Venues
+ 61 2 6207 5618
Daniel.Bailey@act.gov.au