District office still debated

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 241, 3 May 1988, Page 1

District office still debated

Work conditions at the Waimarino District Council office in Ohakune are fast becoming "intolerable", according to Mayor Garrick Workman. "It is intolerable from a practical point of view to continue working in the present conditions," he said. "We have three buildings available to us - we obviously only require two at the most at this stage. We now must decide what to do with the other." Mr Workman said the present building in Ohakune requires "immediate" renovations to alleviate the cramped working conditions. While the former Raetihi Borough Council and County Council offices are available and would sufficiently house all staff, Mr Workman said there would need to be substantial upgrading

of buildings - particularly the County Council office in Seddon Street. Mr Workman said the buildings would be an alternative to proceeding

with extensions to the Ohakune office, but expressed his opinion that the council should adhere to the Ohakune option. "I would be disap-

pointed if the administration centre moved to Raetihi," he said. "No one fought harder than I earlier in the amalgamation for the

head quarters to be in Raetihi, but it came to Ohakune. Now we should stick with the decision." Cr Errol Sue endorsed a proposal put forward by District Manager John Murrihy, that an extensive evaluation of buildings be undertaken. "I believe we should address the situation immediately," he said. Cr David Griffith's proposed that a capital costing of the Raetihi buildings be carried out immediately. "The evaluation should be given urgency," he said. "Once we have got the report, then we decide where to go." The matter was left in the hands of the District Manager.