Deteriorating Mosman Civic Centre’s $3.755m refurbishment

MOSMAN Civic Centre, which is as old as the Second World War, is literally falling apart and will be renovated in the next two years in a $3.755m project.

The ageing Mosman Civic Centre, pictured, is falling apart and will be renovated in the next two years.

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A LARGE piece of cladding blowing off the roof, rubbish bins collecting rainwater leaks, failing airconditioning, flooding and leaky sewer pipes more than 50 years old: these are among the issues with Mosman Civic Centre, which is literally falling apart.

Councillors voted last month to allocate a budget of $3.755 million to the building’s refurbishment.

The work will be staged across a two-year period. The council will determine tenders above $150,000.

A missing panel on the exterior of the Mosman Civic Centre is one example of the building’s widespread problems.

The civic centre was built between 1938 and 1940 — coinciding with the Second World War — and was significantly renovated in the same year as another historic event, the Australian Bicentenary in 1988.

But, the council’s report noted there has been a “historical underspend” on the building because of future redevelopment plans delaying major work. Redevelopment is still a possibility in the next 10 years or beyond.

The rusted and corroded guttering of the Mosman Civic Centre.

Council amalgamations also stalled plans in 2016. The council previously considered concept designs to completely redevelop the site. Ideas included a new civic and community building, relocated art gallery and more car parking.

The council’s report, however, argued that past cost reductions had now culminated in heightened safety risks and rising maintenance costs.

“With some assets now significantly beyond their useful life, a $3.755 million spend on assets worth approximately $30 million is considered appropriate,” the report stated.

The revamp will include Barry O’Keefe Library and will improve assets such as: the ventilation, roof, stormwater drainage, carpet, facade, sewer drainage, furniture, fixtures, toilets, electrical system and public areas.

Water damage on the ceiling of the Mosman Civic Centre.

Councillors discussed their ideas for a civic centre overhaul in last month’s meeting. Cr Libby Moline said she was apprehensive about spending the money on a “fairly ordinary building”, but agreed the works were necessary.

“I would love to be able to put in a nice art gallery ... but maybe this is a start,” she said.

“Let’s get through it as quickly as we possibly can.”

The Mosman Daily has seen leaks from the civic centre ceiling when it rains and saw the time a large paint flake fell on the public gallery during a meeting.