Daniel Sanderson has backflipped on Maryborough administration building location

A Fraser Coast councillor has justified a change of heart regarding his vote in favour of keeping the council’s administration building at its former location, saying it’s a “once-in-a-generation” decision.

Councillor Daniel Sanderson, along with all but two of his other councillors, voted in favour of keeping the building at the Kent Street location where the former headquarters was demolished last year.

A Fraser Coast councillor has backflipped on his vote to keep Maryborough’s local government headquarters in a flood zone.

Councillor Daniel Sanderson, along with all but two of his elected colleagues, voted in favour of keeping the building at the Kent Street location where the former headquarters were demolished in 2020.

Only Mayor George Seymour and Deputy Mayor Darren Everard voted against the motion at the August council meeting, with both raising concerns about the Kent Street site’s location in a flood zone.

Former Chronicle editor Nancy Bates, who has been a vocal opponent of the decision to place the administration building back at the same location, which would also see the library moved from its existing location in Bazaar Street, confirmed this week that Cr Sanderson had reconsidered his position.

Speaking exclusively to the Chronicle, Cr Sanderson explained his change of heart.

“The establishment of a new council administration centre in Maryborough is a once-in-a-generation decision, so it’s vital that we get it right,” he said.

The demolition of Maryborough's old council administration building.

“My motion simply asks the council to put a hold on our current decision to allow a final opportunity to explore other options, such as restoring existing buildings within the CBD, that might be a better solution into the future.”

Last month, Maryborough MP Bruce Saunders vowed that the State Government would not be party to leasing office space because it would harm the rejuvenation of the inner city; former Maryborough City Council CEO Noel Gorrie also said the decision was wrong.

Councillor Paul Truscott has consistently defended the council’s decision to stick with the Kent Street location.

He said floods were far from a regular occurrence, and if the building was surrounded by water for one week every 10 years, it wouldn’t be a disaster and the carpark could be easily cleaned while the building would remain undamaged.

“Council put the development on hold as it evaluated proposals from landowners to build an admin centre for us on other properties within the CBD,” he said.

“After evaluating eight proposals, we have decided to continue with the redevelopment of our existing site on the corner of Lennox and Kent Streets.”