General News
14 June, 2025
Council to undertake a hazardous materials study of admin building
Gilgandra Shire Council (GSC) will undertake a hazardous materials study of the main administration building as a first step towards considering the long-term future of the building.
A recent assessment, presented to council’s May meeting, of the 15 Warren Road building noted several issues with the 67-year-old council facility.
In April 2025, Lyons Project Management studied the building. In their report to the May council meeting, they highlighted “significant subsidence throughout most of the structure”; water ingress and carpet damage with potential for mould growth; poor condition of building materials; roof water leaks ; and the likely presence of hazardous materials due to the building’s construction age.
In business paper stated that “the full detailed report lists 463 potential defects identified during the site inspection”.
“Over the past six years the building has experience further noticeable subsidence, stormwater inundation, failures with the internal drainage, internal cracking and is easily accessed by vermin,” states the business paper report.
Councillors were presented with three options: the do-nothing approach; remediation/repairs; and replacement.
The report stated that the second option of remediation/repairs could cost between $1.5 – nearly $3 million; the replacement for a building of a similar footprint is also estimated to cost over $3 million.
The report noted that the building has served the council well for nearly seven decades, and that the growing nature of council business and the long-term suitability of the building is also a factor for the council to consider.
The recommendation that council’s first step in any process to address the issues in the report should be to ascertain what hazardous materials are present at 15 Warren Road.
As such, Cr Brian Mockler and Cr Ian Freeth successfully moved that, while noting the report, council prioritise the assessment of the hazardous materials study at an estimated cost of $5000 which can be funded through existing budget allocations.
GSC general manager, David Neeves, said the administration building on Warren Road, constructed in 1958, has served the community well for many decades.
“However, it’s clear that the building now requires attention. There has been significant building movement over many years leading to structural cracking, stormwater inundation and failures with sewer drainage lines,” he said.
“It is important council understands the extent of the problem. Addressing the issues identified in the building condition report is a sensible and necessary first step.
“From there, we’ll progress with understanding the extent of the works required in order to bring the building up to speed with safe, modern, and functional workspaces that supports the future way council intends to do business. This includes adapting to the digital transformation changes required to enhance the delivery of efficient services, supporting the region’s long-term growth and development, under the ‘Towards 5000’ strategy.”
“The next immediate step is to obtain a hazardous materials report, given the age of the building, it is highly probably that it contains the usual nasties of a 1950s construction such as bonded asbestos and lead based paints. Taking action to address key concerns, beginning with this report, is about doing the right thing for our staff and the community we serve.
“At this stage, no decision has been made as to whether a new or renovated building is required [at Warren Road], but it is great that councillors acknowledge the importance to continue to invest in updated council infrastructure,” said Mr Neeves.
