With social restrictions introduced in the face of COVID-19, many Central Coast workers have discovered they really don’t need to make lengthy commutes to be efficient in the workplace.
But for some, working from home can present its own challenges in balancing the work routine with family and home commitments.
The Smart Work Hub at Gosford, which reopened this week, could be the perfect solution.
The Smart Work Hub offers a quiet shared space designed for all out of office employees and small business needs, with casual booking and membership options available.
Central Coast Council’s Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan, said that hub was one way to conduct business safely and conveniently from the Gosford CBD.
Located in Gosford CBD across from Kibble Park, the hub is a modern and bright co-working space with Fast Internet NBN via Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) connections, access to printers, and complimentary tea and coffee.
It is affordable and open seven days a week for full members and Monday to Friday for casual access.
Measures have been put in place to ensure the facility is as safe as possible with a COVID safe management plan in place, increased cleaning and limits on numbers within the facility (20 people per day in the co-working space with bookings required).
Mayor Lisa Matthews said the hub is a valuable business space proudly owned and operated by Council.
“We have been looking forward to opening the Smart Work Hub as soon as restrictions and community safety measures allow, to help support local industry, small business and entrepreneurs by providing a safe, central co-working space,” Cr Matthews said.
“Making this space open and available will also help to keep workers on the Coast, providing immense personal benefits while also boosting the local economy.”
Work hubs like these can often be a cost-effective solution for companies when compared with a long-term commercial lease of an office for just one or two local employees or because of the scope to share infrastructure such as meeting rooms, audio-visual equipment and IT support.
Since the onset of the pandemic, many commuters have found their productivity had increased by working from home due to a big reduction in commuting time and workplace distractions.
Many also attribute this to becoming fitter and happier, including due to reconnections with family and community.
But working from home can often present a different set of distractions as well as increased work health and safety risks, such as non-ergonomic furniture.
Serviced offices with high-speed internet and IT infrastructure may offer a happy middle ground.
More information on the council’s Smart Work Hub can be found at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/business
Terry Collins