Australia Post's support office in Melbourne has moved from the CBD to the inner east suburb of Burnley as part of its focus to become a financially and environmentally sustainable business.
The move to 480 Swan Street - which has seen Australia Post depart from its longstanding CBD base at 111 Bourke St - is expected to save millions of dollars in leasing costs each year and is core to the organisation's Post26 strategy.
Australia Post's 3,000-strong support office team occupy eight levels and nearly 24,000 sqm within a newly constructed 11-story building, while providing a substantial boost for local businesses in the area.
The Swan Street location was selected from a short list of suburban locations due to its cost-effectiveness and close proximity to transport including trams and CityLink. Burnley Railway Station is also just metres away with a direct walkway link to the office entrance.
Local customers and community are already benefitting from Australia Post's presence in the area following the opening of a new Burnley Post Office and free 24/7 parcel locker hub on the ground floor at 480 Swan Street, one of the shopfronts within a new 1,000 square metre retail space.
Australia Post Executive General Manager Enterprise Services Michael McNamara said the move represented a new chapter in Australia Post's 200-year history.
"Australia Post is an organisation with deep connections to local communities and it's been great to see the Burnley and Richmond communities welcome us to the neighbourhood.
"We are proud to be working within a space with such outstanding environmental credentials, and an industry-leading Green Star rating. Importantly, this move supports our work to modernise and streamline our business under the Post26 Strategy as we look to continue delivering for our customers into the future," Mr McNamara said.
A design team led by Hassell brought to life a 'homely warehouse' concept featuring natural and upcycled materials, indoor greenery and industrial design elements to reflect Australia Post's frontline roots. Faction Consulting, Arup, United Make and Buildcorp were also instrumental in delivering the design and fit-out which includes meeting spaces, a communal lunchroom and outdoor terraces.
A stand-out design element is a one-of-kind Stamp Wall displayed at Australia Post's first floor reception and created from 4,300 stamps handpicked by philatelic specialists.
Dan Cox, Principal at Hassell, said particular focus had been given to supporting the geographical spread of Australia Post's workforce.
"The design accommodates the rise in video calls and flexible working, while enabling teams to simply come together in the moment.
"The 'homely warehouse' concept was developed specifically to emphasise the shift from a corporate headquarters to a support centre that is ultimately just another vital part of Australia Post's extensive network, connecting all Australians," Mr Cox said.
More than 4,500 furniture items have been refurbished, recycled or repurposed from the previous Australia Post head office at 111 Bourke Street, reducing waste.
Approximately $2.6 million and nearly 30,000kg of landfill was saved through just one part of this program which saw over 1,800 existing office chairs serviced and cleaned.
Part of the Charter Hall Group portfolio, the 480 Swan Street building has 32,000sqm of total office floor space and is fully electric and carbon neutral. In addition to a world-leading 6-star Green Star Design and As Built Rating the building has a 5 Star NABERS Office Energy Commitment Agreement.
An 'all-electric' mechanical central plant is reducing the building's reliance on natural gas while minimising CO2 and refrigerant fugitive emissions. In combination with the purchase of carbon credits, this has allowed the building to be certified as Carbon Neutral.
The Richmond, Cremorne and Burnley precinct is now home to corporate organisations including Seek, Tesla, MYOB and Walt Disney.
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