New Wattle Range Council office rebuild bid sparks controversy in the South-East
It’s been the site of electric shocks, a minor fire and has problems with mould, salt damp and not enough toilets, but plans for a new regional council office have still sparked controversy.
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A proposal to spend up to $6.8m on a new council office in Millicent has sparked controversy in the small South East town.
Wattle Range Council has asked its residents for feedback on a move to build a new administration building, and is due to decide on a favoured site on Tuesday.
Its current George Street office is a 1930s-built, converted former school campus, which the council says it has outgrown and “does not meet minimum design standards”.
It features a series of problems including electrical issues resulting in shocks and a recent minor fire, mould, salt damp and water damage from a failing roof. There are only three toilets for the 30 staff who work there.
Elected members are considering four options for the office – a rebuild on George St or new building at the town’s Apex Park, former netball courts or Jubilee Park.
A council report estimates the project would cost up to an estimated $6.8.
Resident Nicole McRostie, who unsuccessfully stood for election as a councillor in 2018, has been circulating a petition against the plan and helps run a Facebook page opposing the development, now followed by about 500 people.
She says the cost is exorbitant and one her community can ill afford – especially if it results in rates rising.
“You go through Millicent and half the shops are empty – our businesses are doing it really tough,” Mrs McRostie said.
She said the council should extend its George St site to save money.
However, council documents show a renovation and extension at George Street is likely to cost $4m without addressing “several fundamental structural deficiencies” with the 90-year-old building.
Chief executive Ben Gower said rebuilding at the current site posed the problem of where staff would go during construction.
The council hopes to consolidate its 50 office-based staff under one roof, with 20 of them now spread across two properties the council leases.
“We’re in a pretty good financial position to do a project like this without it significantly impacting on rates,” Mr Gower said.
Finance options include using cash reserves, borrowing money, leasing the building from a developer or a combination of these things.
Mr Gower stressed that the project’s ballpark price tag included a 30 per cent contingency.
Mayor Des Noll said while “a small group” opposed plans for a new office, the majority were supportive.
Modelling has found a $6m investment in the construction industry will generate 16 regional jobs, and indirect roles for another 31 people.
Millicent Business Community Association chair Lee Morgan said his group supported plans for a new administration building because of the “unsafe working conditions’ on George St and benefits of bringing staff together and creating a stimulus project for the district.
The association, which represents about 70 member businesses, is also concerned about insurance premiums rising because of the office’s condition.