A telecentre is an office used by teleworkers that is situated close to their home. A telecentre:
- Offers an alternative work location from which staff can telework on a regular, occasional or ad hoc basis, but not on a full-time basis.
- Is used by staff from the same organisation, who live close to the telecentre and normally commute over a long distance or a long time to get to their usual work place.
- Offers computer systems linked to the central office systems.
- Provides workstations that are shared by staff using a ‘hot desking’ system, whereby staff can work from the telecentre by booking the workstation in advance.
- Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) currently has 2 telecentres in West Gosford and Penrith.
West Gosford telecentre
The West Gosford telecentre was opened in September of 1998 as part of a six month trial into the cost effectiveness of teleworking in Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority).
Why West Gosford?
After an inspection of some 35 potential sites, West Gosford Office was selected as the most appropriate site because it would service Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) staff who live on the Central Coast and commute long distances to either Sydney or Newcastle.
The West Gosford office is shared with a Vehicle Regulations Unit and a Motor Registry.
Penrith telecentre
Penrith telecentre was opened in September after the success of the earlier telecentre trial at West Gosford. The trial demonstrated that a telecentre can provide a cost effective alternate office facility to provide a viable alternative to working from home.
After a preliminary search of Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) database it was found that Penrith or its surrounding suburbs would be the most suitable location for a telecentre, due to the large number of Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) staff who live in greater western Sydney.
At the time there was no available existing office accommodation in Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) offices in either Penrith, or close to Penrith. Options considered include:
- Lease vacant commercial premises
- Sub-lease existing fitted out commercial premises
- Construct a demountable on existing Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) property at Penrith.
The option chosen was to construct a demountable because it was the most cost-effective option, teleworkers would have easy access to existing Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) on-site resources and the office could also be used to accommodate other staff or for other purposes if required.
Who can use the telecentres (how the participants were chosen)?
Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) staff who commute from the areas surrounding the telecentres (greater Western Sydney for Penrith, the Central Coast for West Gosford) and have jobs suitable for teleworking are welcomed to sign a teleworking agreement. Managers have been approached to seek their support for members of their staff who choose to telework.
Before beginning work at a telecentre, staff and their managers are trained on what to expect, how to communicate and their rights and responsibilities. Staff have to attend information and training sessions and be issued with a set of operating guidelines to ensure they are prepared for working from the telecentre.
How telecentres operate
The telecentres have now been operating for a number of years.
The telecentres are self-operating. Teleworkers book a teledesk in advance via an online calendar system.
Telephones at the usual place of work have a call forward facility so teleworkers can continue to answer their telephone calls directly.
Teleworkers are also able to access their file server at their usual office via a wide area network connection.
Appropriate office environments such as desks for laptop users and desks equipped with computers and a meeting area that doubles as a meal area. The telecentre is also equipped with a multi-function copier, printer, and fax machine.
The West Gosford telecentre continues to operate as a model for the NSW Government Telecentre Program and other organisations.
Need more information?
Contact details are listed below for those requiring further information about the issues covered in the telecentre trial articles.
Telecentres & the Telecentre Trial:
- Haggai Bocman on 02 8588 5682