THE WARMTH OF TIMBER INTERIORS

Nowra Workplace Hub

Timber finishes warm the interiors of the refurbished government building.

Government jobs are often perceived as slow, but the recent $5 million revitalisation of the Nowra Workplace Hub on the NSW South Coast has been completed in just seven months.

Delivering workspace to 250 employees from six government departments across its 1800m² on two floors, the hub is planned to boost the NSW Government’s capacity to recruit employees who work near the communities they serve.

The original building was constructed in the early 2000s. Utilising an existing structure has minimised both costs and time, but hasn’t compromised the results. A new concierge desk helps the public find the department and worker they need faster, while security turnstiles improve safety. Timber finishings throughout the refit give a sense of warmth and connection to nature that is welcomed by workers and visitors alike.

The building has a series of new facilities added, including updated workspaces and bathrooms that are fit for purpose and amenities that rival those provided in metropolitan offices. Staff now have access to end of trip facilities including bike racks and shower rooms, EV charging and onsite communal areas that allow for easier networking, meetings and communication. The transformation is designed to support government employees living and working on the South Coast, attract diverse talent and strengthen ties between agencies and the community. 

The government’s central property agency, Property and Development NSW (PDNSW), emphasised hiring teams from the Shoalhaven area during the project with lead contractor Intermain Pty Ltd partnering with 30 local subcontractors to deliver the refurbishment.

Tenants including the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI), the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ), the Department of Customer Service (DCS), the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) can now enjoy the upgrade’s 4.0-star Green Star – Interiors rating, which meets the latest NSW Government workplace design standards to ensure accessible, future-ready workspaces.

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said, “This revitalised Nowra Workplace Hub is a fantastic investment in the South Coast and the talented people who live and work here.

“This hub will help regional workers better serve communities across the South Coast and NSW, while supporting the local economy and creating new opportunities for people to build careers close to home. The South Coast now has a modern, contemporary government workspace which is vital to attracting and retaining the best staff.”

Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast Ryan Park emphasised that the Hub didn’t just provide improved conditions for existing workers, but made it easier for other enterprises to find a workspace in the area.

“The completion of Nowra’s Workplace Hub is a win for the talented employees of the South Coast and the communities they work for,” Park said.

“Modern office spaces foster economic growth by keeping and creating jobs in regional NSW. Nowra’s refreshed work hub provides upgraded facilities for hundreds of government employees who call the region home, and a welcome space for many more who travel to the South Coast for work.”

It was a theme echoed by the Member for South Coast, Liza Butler, who said: “I am pleased to see the completion of these offices which will from today empower hundreds of the South Coast’s government employees to do their best work.

“The space can be expanded further to welcome more public or private sector tenants, ensuring it remains a modern and valuable workspace long into the future.”