The Otago Regional
Council had not advanced its plans for new office premises
much since it shelved its $31 million waterfront proposal in
June, chairman Stephen Cairns said.
It was unlikely the issue would come before the council "this
side of Christmas", he said.
In June, Mr Cairns suggested the regional council consider
moving into the former chief post office building alongside
the Dunedin City Council's libraries.
This week, the city council revealed much of the homework had
been done by consultants on a redevelopment plan for the
historic building.
City council property manager Robert Clark also said
reasonably serious interest had been expressed in the two
other floors, but would not say from whom.
Mr Cairns said the interested party "could not be" the
regional council.
The regional council had removed funding for new premises
from its long-term council community plan and, in June,
agreed to reconsider all options.
"We're back in the re-deliberation process, but it has not
advanced too far."
Councillors had held a workshop on the issue and would be
"coming back together" to re-examine its original vision and
scope for new premises.
"Once we've done that, then we move into looking at options."
The issue would not come in front of the council before
Christmas, and he was "not sure" when it would in the new
year.
- rebecca.fox@odt.co.nz
