A $25 million ‘modest upgrade’ has been flagged for Maribyrnong’s town hall and council offices.
The redevelopment would be the single biggest ratepayer-funded project in the municipality in decades.
A ‘Town Hall Renewal’ business case, costing $177,000 to prepare, has presented four potential scenarios for refurbishment of the Footscray Town Hall Precinct.
These range from a $15.3 million basic upgrade to a $86 million complete rebuild.
A report to be presented to Tuesday night’s ordinary meeting states that the town hall buildings are outdated and in poor condition, with a majority of areas no longer fit for purpose as a community or work space.
The site and buildings were found to require significant modification and refurbishment to meet current standards and deal with the growth of the council.
Footscray Town Hall was built in 1936, with major extensions and renovations carried out between 1984 and 1988.
Councillors last year voted to endorsed the development of a business case to consider potential renewal options and their costs.
Scenario 1, involving essential building compliance and end of life works, would cost an estimated $15.3 million.
Scenario 2, a ‘modest upgrade’, would carry out these basic works as well as upgrading the Town Hall to improve community use, refurbishing the customer service area and upgrading the office building, at a total cost of $25.4 million.
Scenario 3, a ‘major upgrade’ costing $36 million, would include these works and significantly extend the floor area.
Scenario 4 would be a complete new build, but at $86 million was said to present “significant and unsustainable” costs.
The key areas identified for work include all-abilities access, amenities, non-compliant electrics, an outdated fire hydrant system and mechanical plant that it is at the end of its useful life.
The building’s roof, walls, windows and floors were all rated as “very poor”, adding to the cost of power consumption.
“The buildings contain asbestos and hazardous materials that will require management and removal as part of any rectification or refurbishment works,” the report noted.
The report recommends the council adopt ‘Scenario 2’ as the preferred option for Town Hall Renewal project, representing “the best long term value for money investment for Council and the Community.”
This would include upgrading the fire system and toilets, a new fit-out of offices and consolidating capacity in the main office building to 250 staff.
The 2018-2019 draft budget, due to be adopted at Tuesday night’s meeting, flags a rate rase of the maximum allowable 2.25 per cent and projected revenue of $148.6 million.
The budget includes $2 million for design works to prepare for the upgrade. A preferred scenario is due to be voted upon on Tuesday night.
