Public servants working at Geoscience Australia in Canberra are reportedly not keen on an open-plan office that's been proposed as part of their $17.5 million building refurbishment.
Nearly 600 employees are housed at the facility on the corner of Jerrabomberra Avenue and Hindmarsh Drive.
![A $17.5 million refurbishment is planned for the Geoscience Australia building in Canberra.](/web/20170401193604im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/a/x/v/u/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gvat71.png/1490949290466.jpg)
The Public Works Committee met Friday to review submissions on the project, including one from the main public sector union.
A letter signed by CPSU deputy secretary Beth Vincent-Pietsch recommends reconsidering the open-plan office.
The submission notes the proposed refurbishment involves shifting executive level-two (EL2) staff from private offices to an open-plan work area.
"EL2 staff members are senior public servants, with managerial and security responsibilities," the submission says.
"Moving these staff members to the open office area will likely represent a substantial change to the way these workers do their jobs; and importantly will create challenges with respect to sensitively and discretely managing information.
"Geoscience Australia staff advise that research work is conducted most productively in a quiet environment, and the movement of more staff into the open office area is likely to impact on their access to a quiet working environment for research activities."
The CPSU also expresses concern at a proposed reduction in the floorspace used by staff.
"Geoscience Australia has historically attempted to seek sub-tenants to share the building, and has been unsuccessful," the submission says.
"Should it not be possible to secure a sub-tenant, staff may suffer cramped conditions for no tangible reason beyond satisfying a bureaucratic guideline."
The other concerns related to work-health safety issues and a call to repair and paint water-damaged ceilings.
The committee is required to report as quickly as possible on the cost-effectiveness of the agency's proposal.
Geoscience Australia wants work to begin in May.
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