Building Work Under Way

Work to extend and strengthen the Tasman District Council Offices on Queen Street in Richmond has started.

Kaumatua Andy Joseph blessed the waharoa outside the building, and the building works this morning, before work got under way.

A fence has been put up around the main entrance to the building and car park, and contractors are now on site.

Tasman District Council Property Manager Jim Frater says the first change the public will notice is the access to the building for the public and the car park.

“We’ve provided pedestrian access via the eastern side of the car park and have asked staff to park elsewhere for the duration of the build to ease congestion,” he said.

The car park is shared with Rob Roy’s Steak House and Goldpine Industries.

The building work is expected to be completed in December 2012.

Access to the building

• The main entrance has been blocked off to allow work to progress.
• A blue line around the perimeter of the fence guides pedestrians to the entrance to the offices.

Car parking

Car parks are still available for members of the public.

• Entrance to the car park is via the old exit
• Allocated wheelchair accessible parking spaces are provided

About the building work

The works will include strengthening and renovation of the 1962 building which has been identified as requiring major earthquake strengthening. Further work will provide more office space and bring the staff currently spread about in different buildings into one.

• The successful tenderers are all local suppliers: Redbox architects, RDT Pacific, project managers, and Gibbons Construction Ltd.