The state government has established a new body to coordinate the development of some of Western Australia’s biggest capital projects, as it prepares to deliver on its record $25 billion capital works program.
The Office of Strategic Projects will oversee delivery of several key projects, including the Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth Arena and the Northbridge Performing Arts Centre, in addition to the new stadium and museum projects, announced last week.
It will also co-ordinate major regional projects, including the Perth to Bunbury highway and the Bunbury Port Redevelopment.
Former director of the city project for the New MetroRail, Richard Mann, will head the office.
Before taking on the MetroRail position, Mr Mann filled the role of manager of term contracts (Metro Region), in which he was responsible for the maintenance of all of Main Roads’ metropolitan-area assets, including the Northbridge tunnel.
Mr Mann said the office would be a centre of expertise to help agencies better deliver some of the more complex projects.
He said the office would oversee and coordinate the delivery of major projects, monitor and report to the relevant agencies, and act as custodian over contracting arrangements.
The office will report directly to the Department of Housing and Works.
Mr Mann said he had already lined up key personnel for the office, which is expected to have about 12 employees at first, increasing to between 18 and 20 once it reaches full capacity in 12 months’ time.
“Taking into consideration the capital works program over the forward estimates period, there’s the potential for the team to be involved in 10 or 12 key strategic projects around the state,” Mr Mann said.
State health reform infra-structure developments at Joon-dalup Health Campus, Swan Health Campus and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital are also expected to come under the office’s watch.
Premier Alan Carpenter launched the office at the Labor Business Roundtable on Friday, coinciding with the announcement of the new $1.1 billion Kitchener Park stadium in Subiaco and the construction of a new $500 million museum on the East Perth Power Station site.
