AQIS first to secure space in state-of-the-art green star building at Port of Brisbane

27 February 2007

Issued by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service and the Port of Brisbane Corporation.

The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) is set to relocate its shipping and cargo inspection operations to Port Central 1 - a new state-of-the-art office building - at the booming Port of Brisbane, bringing AQIS closer to industry.

Forty staff currently based at the Port of Brisbane and the AQIS Regional Office at Eagle Farm will move into the 600m2 space by mid 2007, allowing faster response times and greater efficiency in meeting demand for AQIS services by the shipping and cargo industry.

AQIS South Queensland Regional Manager Rick Hawe said being based at the port further strengthened the relationship between AQIS, the Port of Brisbane and the local import and export community.

“The new accommodation means that we can respond quickly to our stakeholders, which is crucial given the rate of growth in international trade through the port,” Rick said.

“Our operations at the port are pivotal to ensuring quarantine and export integrity of international trade is maintained.  The new accommodation locates our officers ‘on-site’ allowing timely and cost efficient provision of this important service.”

Port Central 1 is the first project in a unique town centre development underway at the Port of Brisbane.

Designed and constructed to achieve a minimum 4 Green Star Rating from the Green Building Council of Australia, Port Central 1 includes a range of sustainable features aimed at conserving energy and resources. These include a dual air-conditioning system, which incorporates a storage tank capable of holding one day's supply of chilled water.

Port of Brisbane Corporation, Chief Executive Officer, Jeff Coleman, said the building’s design demonstrated the Corporation’s innovative and leading approach to sustainable development.

Port Central 1 is scheduled for completion by June 2007.