Back to the office – OMG!!!

The Premier Daniel  Andrews has said that a return to offices will be almost the last thing to change in the relaxation of the State’s lockdown.

The pause forced on us by COVID-19 gives as a rare opportunity to think about how to build a sound future which might look quite different to what we were doing only a few months ago. What indelible marks have already been left on the city’s economy? Do we revert to old ways or seize new opportunities? Of the changes we have already seen, what should we fight to keep?

What are the implications of a ‘return to work’? Where will work happen? If workplaces are decentralised and largely dependent on home based working, what are the implications for the recruitment and nurturing of staff? How do we maintain workplaces as crucibles of innovation?

What consequences will new ways of working have for Melbourne’s transport and strategic urban planning?

Drawing on members’ experience, this lunchtime discussion will consider the short and medium/long term implications of the decisions we take in planning for a ‘new normal’. We want to have a constructive discussion about some of the deep challenges we face. Moderated by John Ridley AM, members Rob McGauran, Director of MGS Architecture, Sue Dahn, Partner and Executive Director of Pitcher Partners and Dr Jonathan Spear, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer of Infrastructure Victoria, will briefly set the scene for us. We hope that the discussion which follows will be of genuine and practical use to those of us having to devise and navigate new pathways.