City Council buys five buildings in lower Esk Street

The Invercargill City Council has purchased five buildings in lower Esk Street with a view to building a combined administration complex to house the Invercargill City Council, Southland District Council and Venture Southland, Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt announced today.

Mr Shadbolt said the project was still in its infancy and both councils still had to work through the concept and consult with ratepayers before taking it further.

“Council took this first step to secure the land so there was certainty around a suitable site being available in the CBD in order for consultation to take place.

“This development will also form an important part of the CBD redevelopment and the site was chosen because of proximity to the Library and Archives, plus the Leven Street car park.

“The investment in these properties was around $2 million and came from Endowment Funds – which means that it did not come from rates,” Mr Shadbolt said.

Southland District Council Mayor Frana Cardno said Council has discussed the proposal for joint location with Invercargill City Council and has agreed that the option is worth exploring further as it could facilitate enhanced shared services and co-operation between councils, leading to additional value to the ratepayers of the province.

It will be worth exploring the advantages of co-location of other organisations as well, such as Venture Southland, she said.

Discussions however are at a very preliminary stage.

“Anything we can do to be more efficient and provide coordinated services to our ratepayers is positive – but we still need to consult fully with them,” she said.