Digging in for new agency

Work has officially begun on a $120 million building to accommodate hundreds more public servants in central Geelong.
Federal Social Services Minister Christian Porter turned the first sod on the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) headquarters on Wednesday, promising “hundreds of local jobs” during construction.
The building would house 560 NDIA staff along with colleagues from other Commonwealth departments, he said.
“With NDIA national office staff currently split across several locations in Geelong, the new building will increase the efficiency of head office operations and make it easier for NDIS participants to access information and support,” Mr Porter said.
The building, on Malop St, will incorporate the heritage-listed Carlton Hotel. Construction is due for completion in late 2018.
The NDIS will neighbour a WorkSafe headquarters under construction and set to employ around 700 staff after opening in 2018.
The NDIA and WorkSafe offices follow the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) opening a new headquarters with 650 staff in central Geelong eight years ago.
Australian Bureau of Statistics expects to employ about 300 people at its new national data acquisition office, which opened in Geelong last year.
The NDIA office’s proximity to the TAC, WorkSafe and Deakin University’s Waterfront campus would “add to the region’s insurance, education and research precinct”, said Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson.
The new office would also cement Geelong’s position as “a centre of excellence for disability and personal injury insurance”, she said.
“The NDIA is working with the City of Greater Geelong to make access routes to the building and connections to transport and services more accessible.”