WorkSafe’s Geelong headquarters has injected more than $670 million into the local economy since it opened three years ago this week, the authority estimates.
The economic boost includes the headquarters’ construction and 130 employees purchasing a home in Geelong as WorkSafe relocated from Melbourne in July 2018.
Those employees accessed government incentives totalling $5.6 million to assist with a purchase and $3.1 million in stamp duty discounts.
Other local benefits in WorkSafe’s economic modelling estimate include employee expenditure in the CBD and across Geelong.
More than 1000 employees work at WorkSafe’s headquarters on Malop Street and another nearby office, with 700 living in Geelong and the Surf Coast.
WorkSafe estimates the economic impact of its move to Geelong will reach $827 million by its 10-year anniversary in 2028.
The statutory authority has provided almost $200,000 in sponsorships and grants since the move, supporting 28 Geelong and Surf Coast organisations and events.
The authority is also a member of local lobby groups Geelong Chamber of Commerce, G21 and The Committee for Geelong.
WorkSafe chief executive Colin Radford said the organisation was proud to call Geelong home.
“The benefits of WorkSafe’s move to Geelong can be seen in our community every day, whether it’s the welcome economic boost, our support of grassroots organisations, or the opportunity for our workers and their families to call this wonderful part of Victoria home.
“We’ve also received a lot of support. Having the goodwill of an entire city behind us certainly helps when it comes to fulfilling our purpose of reducing workplace harm and improving outcomes for injured workers.”
The Independent understands WorkSafe’s headquarters was operating at about 60 per cent capacity this week, below state government’s 75 per cent limit, with some employees still preferring to work from home.
Mr Radford indicated more workers would return to the headquarters as COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease.
“WorkSafe will continue to follow government health directions and return to our offices in a staged way to ensure the safety of employees and the local community,” he said.
