Nowra Wins $10m Project
Illawarra Mercury
Saturday May 26, 2001
The Department of Local Government is on the move from Bankstown to Nowra.
In a major coup for the Shoalhaven the contract to build a new government office block in Nowra was signed yesterday.
Member for South Coast Wayne Smith said Nowra was the site chosen for the $9.9million project because it was recognised by the State Government as a ``centre of regional and economic growth".
``The Government's policy is to decentralise offices from city areas and they chose here which is really beaut for us," he said.
``It will mean 60 more (permanent) pay packets for Nowra and more than 100 construction jobs during the building phase."
LocalGovernment Minister Harry Woods said work would start almost immediately with the demolition of existing buildings on the site.
``The Department of Local Government will relocate from its Bankstown offices to Nowra when the project is completed in 18 months time," Mr Woods said.
``An additional 40 staff from the Department of Land and Water Conservation, presently in leased premises in Nowra, will also move to the new building."
Mr Smith said the office block was bigger than first anticipated, ``but it seemed sensible to provide accommodation for other government agencies as well".
The project was expected to be completed by January 2003.
© 2001 Illawarra Mercury
