BHP Chooses Site For New HQ

BHP Limited
20 February 2001

BHP Limited
                
BHP CHOOSES SITE FOR NEW GLOBAL HEADQUARTERS

BHP Limited (BHP) today announced it will relocate its Melbourne headquarters
to a new site at the Queen Victoria village on the corner of Russell and
Lonsdale Streets mid 2003, and has engaged Grocon Pty Limited to construct new
purpose built office accommodation.  

BHP's Vice President Corporate Services Fiona Bennett said the new building
will meet BHP's requirements for reduced floor space and the Company was
pleased with the outcome.  The decision to engage Grocon follows a
comprehensive review of the Melbourne commercial property market.

'A range of options were examined to meet our criteria for:
: best practice utilisation of accommodation floor space
: a more flexible work environment for employees including the provision of 
  open-plan work spaces, meeting rooms and public areas
: a reduction in operating costs from improved occupational and energy
  efficiencies.' 

BHP expects to occupy 25,000 square metres in the new building, (10,000
squares less than it currently occupies) with the right to exercise an option
for additional space.  The reduction in floor space is due largely to
efficient utilisation of floor space in the new building, and the migration of
employees to the Shared Services Centre in Adelaide. 

'The purpose built accommodation means we can commission an environmentally
sustainable building for the future through the use of double glazed windows,
waterless cooling towers, light dimming systems and state of the art
technologies, materials and finishes.  The building will make best use of
steel in the design, to showcase steel as a 21st century material that lends
itself to innovative design solutions,' Ms Bennett said.

The agreement to lease the property is structured to extend over 10 years,
with further options for renewal.                                             
                                      


Further information can be found on our Internet site: http://www.bhp.com 

Contact: 

MEDIA RELATIONS                     INVESTOR RELATIONS

Mandy Frostick                      Dr Robert Porter
Manager Media Relations             Vice President Investor Relations
Ph:  61 3 9609 4157                 Ph:  61 3 9609 3540              
Mob: [phone]                 Mob: [phone]