Hundreds of Western Power employees will soon call Forrestdale home thanks to the development of a new multi-million dollar campus-style facility.
The new facility will be housed at Forrestdale Business Park West thanks to the purchase of a 12-hectare $23 million site which will be converted into one cleared and serviced lot of land.
Bounded by Ranford Road, Armadale Road and Tonkin Highway the lot within the Forrestdale Business Park West was recognised as a logical location for the State Government-owned energy supplier after a variety of other locations were looked at.
Western Power Executive Manager of Business and Customer Service Tamara Brooker said the new fit for purpose facility will be a significant upgrade to existing depots.
“All our employees located at our current Kewdale, Mount Claremont, Forrestfield and Prinsep Road sites will be moved to the new Forrestdale facilities,” she said.
“Forrestdale was ultimately chosen as the best option because of the ease of access from two major road ways (Tonkin Highway and Armadale Road) which will allow for easy deployment of our maintenance and emergency vehicles, as well as the overall size of the land parcel.”
Energy Minister Bill Johnston said the relocation of multiple specialist depots into one campus would see collaboration between the many service arms that Western Power operates.
“This efficiency provides a better service for less funding, driving down network costs,” he said.
Member for Armadale Tony Buti was delighted to hear the new facility would be located within the City of Armadale.
“The new depot will bring significant employment and business opportunities to Armadale and surrounding areas,” he said. “It is fantastic news.”
Construction is expected to start towards the end of 2020 and is expected to cost more than $30 million.
The centre is expected to be open by 2022.
