Cost benefits and the opportunity to design a layout that suited its business structure were primary reasons for NSW’s rural bulk water distribution corporation State Water to take up residence at Blue Ridge Business Park.

The move occurred on February 15 after the business investigated alternative accommodation in Sydney and despite the “late decision” and “tight timeframe” the transition was smooth.

“Being the first ones here the staff were a bit worried about coffee machines,” Mr Hurst said.

He added though that staff were happy with the move and that “the culture is sort of changing” with more interaction occurring between staff.

Facilities like parking, showers and high-speed broadband had been established in the four-and-a-half-star building before State Water moved in but there are also long-term plans for childcare facilities, a gym and food services.

Commercial real estate agent Andrew McDonald said there had been increasing interest from local businesses but some of them were “still doing number crunching.”

Developer and Hunter Land chief executive Graham Burns said they intended for the park to bring new businesses to Dubbo and provide an opportunity for local businesses to expand.

He added that there had been “a reasonably high level of interest” and forecasted 1000 people to be in the Business Park within five years.