GLEN Innes Severn Council has finalised the purchase and exchanged contracts for the vacant building behind the McKenzie Mall in Glen Innes.

The new civic facility will be a fit-for-purpose Council Chamber, as well as house staff, and will also be able to be reconfigured for use for community meetings.

The acquisition delivers a much-needed and cost-effective response to critical safety, compliance and functional concerns that have affected the existing Council facilities for many years.

Negotiations for the site began during the last term of Council, following more than 15 years of investigations and planning to identify a suitable and affordable solution.

Council resolved to proceed with the purchase at its November, 2024 Ordinary Council meeting, and with the sale now finalised, planning will progress for the building’s future fit.

Mayor Margot Davis said the site, as well as 4442 square-metres of surrounding carpark, was purchased for $1.7 million.

“This was one of the first major decisions the current Council made and while a significant commitment, it is pleasing that an issue which has been on the agenda for many years has now been dealt with by Council,” Cr Davis said.

“Having functional, well designed office accommodation is an important contributor to the Council being able to operate efficiently, and the organisation being able to build an inclusive and collaborate culture.”

General manager Bernard Smith said the decision to proceed with the relocation could no longer be deferred.

“No investment and interim solutions over the past 40 years have caught up with us. We are now dealing with fundamental issues that can no longer be ignored, and in fact, places Council at significant risk,” Mr Smith said.

(from left) Mayor Margot Davis, director of place and growth Riarna Sheridan, councillors Carol Sparks and Tim Alt, director of infrastructure Alan Butler, general manager Bernard Smith, and director of corporate and community services Lindsay Woodland.

“The current facility no longer meets safety standards, has serious non-compliance issues and significantly limits our ability to deliver services and provide an inclusive and accessible workplace. We cannot recruit staff with a disability under the current conditions,” he said.

Mr Smith said that, at a cost of $6 million, the relocation represents the most cost-effective and sustainable solution Council has identified in the last 10 to 15 years and to further put off any action will only cost the community more in the future

“The solution is modest but practical and will serve the community well for decades to come,” he said.

Mr Smith confirmed the relocation is essential to address longstanding safety, compliance, and functional risks which were at the point where they could not be ignored.

“The office accommodation project is built into Council’s existing long-term financial plan on the basis that it needs to proceed for the reasons given, regardless of the outcome of the Special Rate Variation  application to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal,” Mr Smit said.

“We understand that no time is ever the perfect time for this kind of investment. However, further delay would be irresponsible.”

The relocation will fundamentally transform how Council operates, creating a centralised, more cohesive workspace that supports efficient service delivery and collaboration across the organisation, providing a fit-for-purpose facility designed to meet the needs of Council staff well into the future.

It is hoped occupation will take place by the end of 2026.