South Wairarapa District Council’s main office building in Martinborough is scheduled to have urgent works to remediate longstanding health and safety issues affecting the site and the wellbeing of both staff and the public, as reported in the Wairarapa Times Age in September 2024.

Assessments have found, among other things, black mould in parts of the building, asbestos which has not been managed properly and structural issues including ongoing water leaks through electrical conduits. This is creating an unsafe and poor-quality work environment which is not fit for purpose as office accommodation. Lack of physical separation and security at reception is an ongoing concern.

Councillor Colin Olds shared that this is essential work. “Councillors are supportive of efforts to provide council’s staff a healthy, safe and secure working environment. The current condition of the office is not acceptable for staff to work from and for the public to visit, and the hazards cannot be ignored.”

“A thorough process to address these issues has considered a wide range of options. With limited available accommodation in South Wairarapa, this is the most affordable and practical option to ensure the safety of our people and public, and the longevity of the building.”

The Martinborough site functions as the Council’s head office and houses most staff and functions, with an overflow at a smaller office in Greytown. The building’s core was built in the 1950s, with subsequent floor-level extensions to the front and rear completed later to increase its area to the present day 675sqm. Given the building’s age and condition, it does not currently meet modern-day building regulations.

The works will deal with the outstanding health and safety and security issues which impact the continued viability of the site by:

• Repairing and relining walls, fixing leaks, and refitting the kitchen and toilet facilities 
• Providing more secure access to the office from the reception area

Since September 2024, Council has looked at several options for the accommodation, however, further exploration deemed them unviable. These included a basic refurbishment to address the security and roof, a larger extension of the current site to increase capacity and exit the Greytown office lease or to build or lease a new facility.

A tender for the construction is expected to be issued shortly as part of the process to ensure competitive tenders are received.

Council services
Construction will commence in July and is being carried out in two phases to limit disturbance to the public. Staff will work from a section of the Martinborough office, the Greytown office, the Greytown Library meeting rooms, and from home.

Council reception will be temporarily located at Martinborough Library, with the current reception hours of Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4pm maintained.

“We are doing everything possible to limit any disturbance to council operations and service delivery” shared Stefan Corbett, Group Manager Infrastructure and Community Operations.

Detailed information, including Elections information, will be available at swdc.govt.nz/contact-us once timelines and staff deployment locations are finalised before the end of June.

    
Images of mould from the Mould Inspections Laboratory Report, July 2024 and other leaks

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Media contact

Email  media@swdc.govt.nz