A NEW multi-million dollar council office in Millicent is no closer after Wattle Range Council was deadlocked after almost an hour of debate on Tuesday night.
Councillors and senior staff discussed the pros and cons of numerous sites during the June monthly meeting, but no resolution was achieved.
Instead council voted to let the matter lie on the table for further consideration.
A staff report recommended that a new principal office be erected on Jubilee Park at a cost of almost $6m.
There was some support around the table for the recommendation, but among the other sites to be canvassed in the debate were Apex Park, the former North Terrace netball courts, George Street and the rail lands.
Deputy mayor Moira Neagle moved a motion for council staff to investigate George Street as an office location.
According to Cr Neagle, there were currently 11 vacant shops in George Street and the commercial heart of Millicent was diminishing at a staggering rate.
“It is the onus on us to explore all options,” Cr Neagle said.
Cr Peter Dunnicliff said car parking was needed for council employees and the community and the new office should be close to the Millicent War Memorial Civic and Arts Centre.
“I am happy with Jubilee Park,” Cr Dunnicliff said.
Cr Dale Price said the new office should make a bold statement and not be located in a back street.
Cr Price suggested Apex Park as a suitable location and said the 109-year-old band rotunda could be moved to provide a further site option.
According to Cr Dean Burrow, the Jubilee Park option should be built over the main town drain to allow close access to the Civic and Arts Centre car park.
Cr Deb Agnew supported investigations into a George Street site, adding council had a large staff and they could have lunches and coffee and shop in the Millicent CBD.
Acting chief executive Paul Duka said the siting of George Street on a ridge posed engineering difficulties and would add to the cost.
Mr Duka suggested the former rail lands as a possible site.
Cr Dennis Muhovics pointed out the risks of converting an existing building.
According to Cr Muhovics, the cost of the Mount Gambier Main Corner redevelopment project had blown out from $5m to $9.4m.
Cr John Drew said his heart was in favour of a George Street office location, but that was impractical.
Cr Neagle’s motion was defeated and then Cr Drew moved a motion to have Apex Park as the preferred site.
He said the site was more expensive than Jubilee Park but offered the opportunity to create a better entrance statement to Millicent.
“In terms of our parks, Jubilee Park is the jewel in the crown,” Cr Drew said.
In debate, Cr Burrow used the term “grandiose” to describe the new council office, which mayor Des Noll labelled as an inappropriate description.
Cr Kevin McGrath said an Apex Park location might be too close to the roundabout.
Cr Burrow then successfully moved a motion to end debate and the matter has been deferred.
