PowerNet’s Redevelopment of Balclutha Site Gets Go Ahead
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PowerNet continues to strengthen its investment in South Otago with a substantial redevelopment of its facilities in Balclutha.
PowerNet’s board recently approved a business case to build a new PowerNet workshop and administration building at its Charlotte St site.
“This is a significant investment for PowerNet in a purpose-built facility that will serve our staff well and provide an excellent base for effective service delivery throughout the region,” says PowerNet Chief Executive Jason Franklin.
“Plans for the facilities optimise the work environment with improved vehicle and worksite safety and flow. The redevelopment will provide the infrastructure PowerNet needs for its people and clients for at least the next 50 years,” Mr Franklin said.
The new facilities will also give PowerNet the flexibility and capability to continue operating at the site in a major disaster, and to run some of its southern operational headquarters from Balclutha if required. echo adrotate_group(4, array("fallback" => 0, "weight" => 0, "site" => "no"));
The new facilities workshop will meet higher health and safety standards and be multiuse for distribution, arborist and technical staff. The office space will be a mix of open plan spaces and office spaces for office and field staff. The modest building design will provide a pleasant work environment and a visible public presence.
PowerNet’s Balclutha leadership team has had input into the overall design and building requirements, while the wider South Otago staff were consulted on location options.
PowerNet employs around 65 staff at the site. It would be business as usual while the building work was underway with staff continuing to work from the site while the new buildings were constructed, Mr Franklin said.
The redevelopment will include building a new warehouse and retail space leased to Corys Electrical who are contracted to manage PowerNet’s equipment store.
Its anticipated the development would get underway around September this year and be completed around April 2019. Tenders would be called for in the coming months.