8 June 2007

The controversial on-again off-again hunt for a new headquarters for our city council is on again.

City councillors yesterday agreed to put the plan to build a $100 million headquarters on the Orion site in the central city on hold, and look for
other potential lower cost sites.

The plan for a new HQ has been a testy one with ratepayers over the past year or so.

In Wednesday's Star mayoral hopeful Megan Woods said her political 2021 group would target projects like a new HQ as an election issue.

"I think it's great that the council have extended that decision," she said.

"The site selection is going to be a big election issue, it's a huge issue for the people of Christchurch"

At yesterday's council meeting it was decided the Orion site would remain a contender for the final site, however, Vbase, the company responsible for the project, will now seek expressions of interest from other property owners in the central city area.

The western boundary of the search area, which was originally the Avon River, would now stretch to Rolleston Ave.

The owners of potential sites within both the previously defined area and the new area will be encouraged to either re-submit earlier proposals, or submit new ones.

Cr Helen Broughton suggested the site search area be widened even further, but Mayor Garry Moore said it was important to keep the civic offices in the central city.

He said it would contribute to the council's goal of revitalising the area.
"It will be the biggest building built in the central city other than the hospital," he said.

Last August the council indicated it preferred the Orion site, however, Vbase identified constraints on the site, including a $15 million relocation of a substation and transformer, and wanted to explore other options.

Vbase would also investigate the feasibility of including a new bus exchange as part of the development.

A report will be presented to councillors in September, just one month before local body elections.

A new central city office is needed as the current Tuam St centre, built as a department store in the 1930s is fast approaching the end of its life as suitable office accommodation.

For further comment contact:
Megan Woods - 2021 Candidate for Mayor
Mobile: 027 669 0457
Email: megan@megan4mayor.com