The future of Motueka’s service centre is back up for debate after Tasman District Council paused plans to move the facility into Te Noninga Kumu-Motueka District Library.
Councillors voted unanimously last Thursday to investigate whether the former Motueka Library building on Pah St could instead accommodate the service centre team.
The move follows a recent change to earthquake-prone building legislation that could significantly reduce the cost of using the vacant council-owned building.
Deputy Mayor and Motueka Ward councillor Brent Maru put forward the notice of motion, saying the legislative change meant the old library deserved another look.
“We have an empty building with no purpose that is currently sitting there,” he said. “It would be a shame to consider demolishing it at any stage.”
The former library had previously been considered as an option, but the estimated cost of earthquake strengthening was a major factor in council deciding to instead move customer service staff into Te Noninga Kumu.
That decision, made in June, followed the sale of the existing service centre at 7 Hickmott Pl, with the building needing to be vacated by March next year.
However, the proposal to place customer services inside the current library sparked strong opposition.
The Motueka Community Board argued the library should remain primarily a community facility and raised concerns about available space and the impact of adding customer service functions.
Residents also made their views clear through emails, public submissions and petitions. Two petitions presented to council in August attracted a combined 774 signatures opposing the move.
The community board supported investigating the former library as an alternative, and its unanimous backing for Thursday’s notice of motion was noted by councillors.
The latest development follows changes to the rules governing earthquake-prone buildings.
The Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Bill received Royal Assent on 25 September, introducing a more risk-based approach to managing earthquake-prone buildings.
The old library is not listed on the national register of earthquake-prone buildings, and council staff advised that the legislative change could substantially reduce the previously estimated strengthening costs.
An initial assessment suggests relocating the service centre team to the Pah St building could be achieved for less than the budget already approved for the move into Te Noninga Kumu.
The council-owned building would house about 33% of the service centre operation, while leaving space available for potential community or commercial tenants.
Councillor Trindi Walker said council needed a clear picture of both capital costs and ongoing operational costs before making a final decision.
Staff have been asked to investigate the costs and practicalities of moving the service centre to Pah St and report back by 29 October. If the option cannot be delivered within the existing budget, the June decision to relocate the service centre into Te Noninga Kumu will remain in place.
In the meantime, work to fit out the current library for customer services has been put on hold.
