The issue of what to do about the state of the Civic Offices is not new. Throughout the 1990s, and in particular since August 2000, City Councillors have been aware that the existing building does not provide a satisfactory standard of accommodation.

Problems include lack of space, an unpleasant working environment, poor ventilation, an aging boiler, leaking windows, poorly located lifts, earthquake strengthening requirements as well as high maintenance and running costs.

Investing in a new building would bring all of the Council’s central city staff on to one site and provide benefits for staff, Councillors, visitors and the community.

In this year’s draft community plan, $53.7m of capital funds has been allocated, over the next six financial years, for building new Civic Offices. Financed over a 50-year period, the new buildings would require an average of $1.34m extra from rates per year.

Running costs of a new and more efficient building, however, would be significantly less than the current Civic Offices. It is estimated that a new building would cost $100,000 less a year to operate including a significant reduction in energy consumption.

Over the next 50 years a new, well designed building would also cost $13.5m less to refurbish. Modern office accommodation design allows organisations to expand and contract business teams with lower cost and less down time. This means that the organisation canadapt to changing needs more easily over time.

A new building would have the additional benefits of boosting staff productivity and public pride in the city. Linking in with the Council’s strategic vision and the community outcomes in this year’s draft community plan, new Civic Offices would provide a long-term solution with sustainable benefits for current and future generations.

A new building would contribute towards Christchurch having an excellent built and natural environment, and being a well-governed city.