EPA may be moving Portside

Customs House, Port Adelaide. Source: adelaidenow

• TELL US BELOW: What do you think of the plans to move at least one government department to Port Adelaide?

A DECISION to move a State Government department to Port Adelaide in a bid to rejuvenate the area could be made in the next month.

The Portside Messenger understands a proposal to relocate at least one government agency to the Port is expected to go before Cabinet soon.

Sources say Customs House and the "It's Happening" site on McLaren Wharf are among options being considered to house the department.

Port Adelaide MP Susan Close, who is working with the government on the move, said details about which department it would be and where it would go were yet to be decided.

However, she confirmed reports the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) - which has about 230 people on its staff - was "in the mix".

"Yes, the government is considering plans to bring an office down here," she said.

"If the government decides to go ahead with it, then there would be a process where developers can bid for the project."

Dr Close said the move would increase the daytime population and boost the local economy, with more people "seeing how great the Port is". "It would mean that more people will be spending money in the Port," she said.

The Portside Messenger last October reported the proposal was among several ideas the public could comment on at a community open day, which attracted almost 4500 people.

Displays revealed the government was "investigating the transfer of some government agencies" into the Port to "boost the working population and daytime activity".

Dr Close said at the time the idea was "being taken very seriously" and received a strong response from people on the day.

Port Adelaide Enfield Mayor Gary Johanson welcomed news the EPA could be moving to the area.

"Because we have so many environmental issues in the area, I would welcome any plans for it to be moved to the Port," he said.

"It is a highly credible organisation and I think it is common sense (they come here)."
 
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