Mayor George Seymour votes against placement of Maryborough council admin building

A location has been decided for Maryborough’s new council admin building but the mayor and deputy mayor voted against the plan.

Both the mayor and deputy mayor voted against the location of the new Maryborough council administration centre, raising concerns that the land was “unsuitable,” and in a flood prone area.

At the latest Fraser Coast council meeting, the decision was made to building the centre where the former administration building had been demolished in Kent Street.

But Mayor George Seymour said the building would still be in a flood zone and “surrounded by water” if heavy rainfall was again to bring flooding into Maryborough’s CBD.

“I don’t think it’s the right place for it,” he said.

One upside was that the building’s new placement would allow for more green space, Cr Seymour said.

But he was disappointed private land options or the city hall weren’t explore further to house administration staff.

Cr Seymour said under the current plan, the existing library would be demolished and would be housed in the administration building, but the current library was not in a flood zone.

Both Cr Seymour and Deputy Mayor Darren Everard voted against the plan, but it passed 7-2.

It’s understood other alternatives included expanding City Hall and moving into the former Wide Bay Club site however the former was said to not have enough room to accommodate the number of staff and the latter was deemed more appropriate as the site for inner-city accommodation overlooking Queen’s Park or something similar.

A statement from the Fraser Coast council said the building would be elevated above the Q100 flood level, with carparking underneath.

“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,” Councillor Paul Truscott 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.”

The new building will accommodate Council’s customer service centre, financial and administrative functions, and a new Maryborough Library.

Subject to the outcome of negotiations with the Queensland Government, the site will have room to accommodate Queensland Government staff under a lease arrangement, if required.

The former administration centre was demolished following a structural engineering assessment which determined it had reached the end of its working life.

“Council has always wanted to maintain a presence in the Maryborough CBD and this decision reaffirms this position,” Cr Daniel Sanderson said.

“An administration building in the CBD is easily accessible for residents to conduct business with council and the staff presence is an economic boost for CBD traders.”

The council had explored all the options and has now determined that the best way forward is to rebuild on the Kent Street site, Cr Truscott said.

“Developing a new administration centre is a once in a generation change, and a legacy for this council so we want to get it right,” he said.

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