Optus announced today that from July 2007 approximately 6,500 Optus employees will relocate to a new, state-of-the-art, campus-style headquarters in North Ryde, NSW.

The purpose-built campus at 1 Lyon Park Road, North Ryde will be the largest of its kind in Australia. It will be spread across eight hectares and offer 84,000 square metres of office space in six separate buildings.

Paul O'Sullivan, Optus Chief Executive said the consolidation of the majority of Optus' offices in Sydney will have multiple benefits.

"The company's new headquarters will provide greater opportunities to unite as one company. Today our NSW offices are spread across many locations including North Sydney, Chatswood and Gordon. The campus will provide an environment that supports teamwork, collaboration and communication.

"Because the campus will be purpose built, we will have the opportunity to use and showcase the innovative technologies, systems, products and services we sell to our customers. Our plans for the site include Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), high speed broadband internet, 3G services and satellite," he said.

"The campus will offer new benefits and services including childcare, a gym and onsite retail facilities to meet the work/life needs of Optus people."

As well as being home to 6,500 Optus people, the facility has expansion capacity for an expected 500 new jobs over the next three years. Mr O'Sullivan said after the move there would be a significant operating cost benefit to Optus through reduced rental costs.

"Optus intends to invest up to A$150 million to fit-out the new facilities, spread over two financial years ending March 2008. Once the relocation is complete, there will be significant operating cost savings through rental costs - up to A$20 million per annum lower than existing premises."

The landlord and developer of the new site is Stockland. Work on the site will begin in the first quarter of 2005.

"Optus is very pleased to be partnering with Stockland on this exciting new development," Mr O'Sullivan said.

Today's announcement follows Development Application approval from the NSW Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources.

For more media information:
Melissa Favero
Optus Corporate Affairs
Tel: (02) 9342 5030