The planned relocation of MidCoast Council’s staff from three sites at Taree and Forster to the Masters site at Taree South is “feasible”, according to a report to be presented at the August 22 council meeting.
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Investigations into a centralised MidCoast Council administration centre at the former Masters site on Biripi Way, Taree is on the agenda at next Wednesday’s council's meeting.
The cost of fitting out the proposed centralised office space to house 350 staff would be in the order of $18 million, the report says.
The report also indicates that the use of the building as an administration centre is feasible and seeks approval from councillors to progress to the next stage – the preparation of a financial strategy, to detail how the project will be funded.
This financial strategy would then be presented to councillors at a future meeting for consideration, according to council’s director of corporate and business systems, Steve Embry.
“Following the approval of a financial strategy council would go out to the community to gain feedback on the proposal and the financing options canvassed in the strategy,” Mr Embry said.
MidCoast Council purchased the former Masters site on Biripi Way in December last year with the view to centralising 350 staff currently located across three sites in Taree and Forster.
Following the purchase a gateway process was implemented to ensure councillors would have a range of opportunities to review the findings of investigations and determine whether to proceed with the project.
“Initially a business case was developed to present a high level cost benefits analysis to councillors. This was presented in February and since then we have been undertaking test fits and cost planning investigations.
“These investigations have determined it is feasible to fit out the Biripi Way building as a central office location,” Mr Embry said.
The report also compares the cost of fitting out the Biripi Way building in comparison to refurbishing council’s existing buildings to accommodate a campus model – where various functions are grouped together to allow teams to work closely. The cost of this option is estimated to be $12.9 million.
“When comparing the single site option against the campus model, it is considered that the single site option returns greater benefits and efficiencies,” Mr Embry said.
The report to next week’s meeting indicates a total of $164,100 has been invested in the preliminary investigations into the project, and these funds have been provided from council’s land development reserve.