Overview
The directorate, through ACT Property Group (ACTPG), manages 241 Territory-owned commercial buildings, government office accommodation, community/multipurpose buildings, aquatic/leisure centres and 40 leases in commercial buildings on behalf of the Territory. This also includes blocks of land, several unique properties, such as converted schools that have been adapted to provide accommodation for community organisations and various significant heritage sites such as Albert Hall and the Tuggeranong Homestead.
CMTEDD received $104.8 million in revenue from rent in 2018-19 and the delivery of property upgrades and services. It also managed a planned maintenance program for properties on behalf of the ACT Government.
During the reporting period, the directorate provided $28.2 million in property upgrade services and $20.9 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 14,200 calls and raised over 16,200 work orders during 2018-19.
The directorate has two specialist staff who work to develop and implement sustainability projects throughout the directorate. In 2018-19 these staff identified a list of priority sites with significant electricity, gas and water consumption and developed a proposed program of sustainability projects for consideration to reduce ongoing utility consumption, costs and associated carbon emissions. Projects and initiatives included building envelope assessments, solar PV, lighting upgrades, building analytics, billing audits and implementation of energy efficient Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning control strategies. The sustainability team has also collaborated with other directorates such as CIT and Education through ACTPG’s role providing maintenance and project management services.
The Government Office Projects team is responsible for coordinating the build of the two new WoG Office Buildings in Civic and Dickson. The two developments reflect the implementation of the ACT Government’s hub and spoke WoG office accommodation strategy and have provided an opportunity to sell and vacate aging owned office buildings. The buildings will accommodate 3,100 ACT Government employees and are on track for completion in 2020.
Highlights
In 2018-19 the directorate:
- continued to implement the 2017-18 Budget initiative on Smarter Government Spending involving the centralisation of non-specialised property services via the single service model (SSM). During the year the development of partnership agreements has identified work programs to assist agencies in delivering their business outcomes. There are, however, a number of properties/portfolios that present unique or complex customer or stakeholder relationships which, similar to the arts facilities, will also require careful management. In preparation for the transition of properties and maintenance responsibilities, ACTPG has documented its base-line services, covering building compliance, periodic work plan, repair break-down responses, maintenance projects and property management;
- upgraded the Albert Hall to offer air-conditioning throughout ensuring the iconic heritage building can continue to serve the community for the future. Heritage Council approval was granted, a Statement of Heritage Effect prepared and works undertaken at cost of around
$0.5 million. Internal and external fabrics of the building were not disturbed; there was minimal disruption to venue usage during the works and the Friends of the Albert Hall were consulted. A new building management system allows the heating or cooling to be operated remotely and the single heating/cooling control panel is very user friendly; - successfully achieved its strategic objective to extend the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) to all ACTPG operations. This was reflected in scope extension being awarded in February 2019, meaning ACTPG is now fully certified to ISO 9001:2015. Only the Property Maintenance Services section was certified previously. This certification demonstrates ACTPG’s commitment to continual improvement and sustainable performance;
- facilitated the construction of Stromlo Leisure Centre valued at $36.6 million comprising a 50-metre lap pool, 20 metre warm water program pool, leisure pool, toddler pool, splash park, gym and seating for 500. The facility is scheduled to open in the first half of 2020;
Photo above: Progress of the Construction of the Stromlo Leisure Centre.
Photo above: Structural steel for the gym complete and installation of the glulam beams over the pool hall underway at the Stromlo Leisure Centre.
- facilitated works on $2.42 million plant upgrades and heritage refurbishment of the Manuka Pool to ensure its ongoing use for inner Canberra. The works include upgrades to the filtration plant and associated infrastructure of the main pool as well as retiling of the entire pool. The works are planned for the closed period for winter (April - October) with the pool open for the 2019-20 summer swim season;
- worked to implement the use of big data and analytics on its Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems, to improve performance, target maintenance activities and reduce operational costs including deploying analytics in a successful trial at North Building (Canberra Museum and Gallery) throughout 2018‑19 with plans to increase the roll out to additional sites in 2019-20;
- managed the hire of the Albert Hall, Yarralumla Woolshed, Fitters Workshop, Former Transport Depot, Yarramundi Cultural Centre, Giralang Community Hall, Tharwa Community Rooms and the Black Mountain Slipway for 529 events and functions. The hire portfolio was expanded with the addition of two community spaces for management at Causeway Community Hall and Oaks Estate Community Hall. The venue with the highest number of bookings was Albert Hall with 125 events over 193 days; and
- erected flags/banners for events such as Anzac Day, Canberra Day, and to celebrate international events and visits from heads of state such Prime Minster of Solomon Islands; half-masted flags in commemoration of the passing of significant Australians.
The directorate did not meet its three 2018-19 accountability indicators against this output. Although the directorate did not meet these accountability indicators, all variances from the target were 2% or below. The accountability indicators not met were:
- Occupancy rate for properties designated for use by non-government tenants – In 2018-19 there was a 96.1% occupancy rate for properties designated for use by non-government tenants against a target of 96.5%. As a result of recent tenant movements the directorate is actively issuing offers to fill vacancies;
- Average square metres of office accommodation per employee – An average of 14.8 square metres(sqm) of office space per employee was reported against a target of 14.5 sqm. A more efficient way of reporting is being considered for future surveys as the ACT Government moves towards Activity Based Working Environments from 2021; and
- Percentage of customers satisfied with management of aquatic centres – 91% of customers were satisfied with the management of aquatic centres against a target of 93%. The quality of aquatics facilities is currently being addressed.
Future Direction
In 2019-20 the directorate will:
- continue the implementation of the Single Service Model in consultation with directorates;
- refresh our service panel and individual contracts across twenty-three service provision areas including builders, electricians, air-conditioning and hazardous materials;
- continue the construction of the Stromlo Leisure Centre (SLC) at Stromlo Forest Park; and
- deliver the Dickson WoG office building and implement an activity based working environment.
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 Group Manager
Property and Venues
+ 61 2 6207 5618
Daniel.Bailey@act.gov.au