Council moves mooted

LISMORE City Council’s corporate headquarters could be back in its “spiritual home” in the Lismore CBD by 2018.

Lismore City Council Chambers.

THE RETURN of Lismore City Council's corporate headquarters to its "spiritual home" in the Lismore CBD could see a multi-million dollar office complex built on Harold Fredericks car park by 2018.

Under the loosely proposed suggestion, the council would partner with a developer to build a multi-purpose complex for the council and other corporate tenants.

The move would help alleviate demand for quality office space in the CBD and provide an economic stimulus to the area, said Lismore City Council corporate services manager Simon Adcock.

So-called "A-grade" office space is limited in Lismore, says Chris Harley from North Coast Commercial Real Estate.

"If we don't get (new) office space, we risk losing some of the growing organisations we have in town to other places," Mr Adcock said.

"It also brings another 100 people into the CBD every day - obviously that has an impact."

While the relocation alone is estimated to cost $600,000, the actual construction of the building could cost the council nothing.

"What we bring to the table is the land itself and the collateral value of the Goonellabah corporate headquarters," Mr Adcock said.

The combined value of Harold Fredericks car park and the council's current headquarters is estimated at between $3 and $4 million.