1.1 Introduction to Section 1 of the OAMF

Section 1 of the OAMF establishes the:

• general context
• purpose
• scope
• operating principles
• roles and responsibilities of the Department of Energy and Public Works (EPW), other agencies and Shared Service Providers
• potential involvement of the Deputy Directors-General Accommodation Group.

Context

EPW manages approximately 1 million m², and is located in over 180 government-owned buildings and more than 550 individual private sector leases.

The accommodation portfolio comprises approximately 14% owned space and 86% space leased from the private sector. Historically, the government has constructed and owned a significant number of office buildings across the state. These buildings were constructed for long-term government use and the core accommodation that they provide is supplemented by accommodation leased from the commercial property market according to the additional areas and occupancy terms required. This approach:

• balances the risks involved in owning and leasing accommodation
• conserves government capital
• supports a viable commercial property market.

The total rental revenue stream managed by EPW in relation to office accommodation exceeds $477 million. EPW also manages an office-building capital works program of approximately $10 million annually and an office accommodation program (OAP) of approximately $12 million annually. In addition, approximately $14 million per year is spent on office building maintenance.

Purpose

The purpose of Section 1 is to describe the function OAMF, including:

• its authority, scope, operating principles and environment
• the roles and responsibilities of associated inter-departmental committees
• the roles and responsibilities of EPW and other agencies.

Definition

Queensland Government office accommodation is defined as the space in a building where the executive, administrative, technical and professional work of agencies is performed in either government-owned buildings or in private sector-leased premises. In this context, office accommodation also includes commercial and operational accommodation provided in buildings owned by EPW as well as commercial and operational accommodation leased by EPW on behalf of the agencies from the private sector.

Authority

The OAMF was endorsed by the Government Office Accommodation Committee (now known as Deputy Directors-General Accommodation Group) on 19 November 2004 and was approved by Cabinet on 25 August 2005.