The lease is signed, three local staff are on the books, and the Murray Darling Basin Authority's (MDBA) new Griffith headquarters is becoming a reality.
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The pre-election announcement of the MDBA's decentralisation, or 'regionalisation', will see around 25 to 30 people based in the city, drawn from a pool of both new local and existing Canberra employees.
In his visit to Griffith on Monday, MDBA chief executive Phillip Glyde says signing the lease on 152 Yambil Street is the culmination of extensive planning, which will come to fruition in early 2020.
The Griffith base is slotted to be the biggest base outside of Canberra, and aims to utilise the decades of "lived experience" in the MIA and wider Riverina for a two-way exchange of information.
Formally the Director of Engagement, Murray Radcliffe has been appointed the new regional manager. He is looking forward not only to the delicious food available on Banna, but also the ability to build rapport with residents.
"For me the benefits will be building those relationships with the community, and be able to influence decisions based on the experience on the ground," Mr Radcliffe said.
"It really is a two way street - we will be able to keep the community informed of what's going on, and then convey their concerns back to the government."
It really is a two way street - we will be able to keep the community informed of what's going on, and then convey their concerns back to the government.
- Murray Radcliffe
Despite concerns decentralising the organisation will inhibit communication with government departments in the capital, both Mr Glyde and Mr Radcliffe say that it won't be a problem with technological advances.
"The biggest test would be the loss of those informal elevator chats, the interior conversations that can have a big impact," Mr Glyde said.
Neither hold concerns over finding accommodation for those employees moving from Canberra, in the current housing crisis in Griffith.
They have been bolstered at the quality and quantity of local job applicants stepping forward, and say more can apply here.