Creating accessible and efficient office spaces

Introduction

This year, we managed several detailed projects to make our facilities more efficient, productive and welcoming while ensuring that essential services continued without interruption.

Creating new office spaces

Opening our new office in Broken Hill

In July 2023, we officially opened our new Broken Hill Office with a ribbon cutting attended by NSW Attorney General Michael Daley.

We have been operating in the region on a fly-in and fly-out basis since 2016, and we spent several years sharing an office with Lifeline before establishing the permanent ‘shopfront’ location. The new office houses eight staff including six solicitors.

Opening our new Campbelltown Office

The NSW Attorney General officially opened our new Campbelltown Office space in September 2023.

Legal Aid NSW has had an office in Campbelltown since 1988. The new space considered the current team of 40 and future expansion to service the local community. It includes updated facilities for client interviews, staff meetings and video conferencing.

Expanding and enhancing existing offices

Creating space for new team members in Dubbo

We completed an expansion of our Dubbo office in April 2024, creating space for 10 new staff members to support the local community. The expansion also added a 14-seat Crestron meeting room, space for three new Legal and Client Support Officers, enhanced storage, and kitchen facilities.

Adding new furniture in Coffs Harbour

Modifications to the administration area at the Coffs Harbour Office have added 10 new workstations. Additional furniture was ordered for offices, interview rooms and the lunchroom.

Enhancing cultural connections in Central Sydney

We expanded the Aboriginal Services Branch’s Central Sydney office space, adding additional offices and a shared team area. The new space reflects best practices in cultural safety and features artwork by Aboriginal artist Luke Penrith.

Improving our security processes

In the past year, Legal Aid NSW has made significant improvements to security processes that impact our facilities. We have upgraded our systems to be more reliable, cost-effective, and streamlined across the organisation.

Facilities staff have been trained to maintain a secure and client-focused environment and respond appropriately to security incidents.

The year ahead

• Create a Moree Office that reflects our dedication to improving remote service provision.
• Move and expand our Coffs Harbour Office to demonstrate our commitment to the community.
• Enhance our facilities in ways that benefit staff, clients and communities, with a particular focus on remote areas where staff and clients travel long distances to our offices.

Key challenge

Meeting the whole of Government directive for flexible and dynamic workspaces. We will focus on creating open-plan offices with shared and bookable workstations to support collaboration while maintaining effective workspaces.