From day one, controversy has surrounded the estimated $56.4 million project — mainly about its cost and whether it was really necessary.
But at the official opening of the Aonui offices in High St yesterday, ORC chief executive Richard Saunders said he appreciated that councils investing in property was always going to be a controversial topic.
He said the decision to invest in the new headquarters was made ‘‘years ahead’’ of any conversations about abolishing regional councils.
‘‘But what we do know is even within that proposal — which we’re still waiting to see what the next steps might be — all of the functions of the regional councils will still need to be delivered and many of the staff will still be required to undertake the roles that they’re specialists in.
‘‘I’m really confident that this provides a fantastic facility for whatever local government looks like in the future in Dunedin and Otago.
‘‘In the meantime, we’ve still got ORC as it is, and we’ve still got lots of work to do.’’
ORC deputy chairman Kevin Malcolm was part of the group that helped formulate the plan to build the new headquarters and said he was delighted it was finally open and operational.
‘‘Certainly, for the Otago Regional Council, it’s long overdue for us to get all our departments in one building. I think that’s absolutely critical.’’
The large open-plan space has desks in island formations around the floor, but it also has some special features, including soundproof booths where staff can make private or video calls, and breakout spaces where teams can get together to work on projects.
‘‘The open plan makes it more collegial and easier to share ideas,’’ Cr Malcolm said.
‘‘They can actually work hand in glove away, like our science, our water testing, our bridge developers, our flood people — all those people work hand in hand.
‘‘But if you’re stuck in different parts of different buildings like we have been, it just doesn’t engender good collegial work programmes.
‘‘You can literally just say across the room, ‘Hey, Steve, what do you think of this’?
‘‘So I think it’s sensational bringing them all together.’’
The public entrance to the building was also ‘‘significantly more welcoming’’ than the ORC’s previous offices at Philip Laing House and Stafford St.
It provides the community with a great space to engage with council staff, and access everything they need, like bus Bee Cards, information about rates, or any other inquiries they may have.
More than 50 officials and dignitaries, including Dunedin Mayor Sophie Barker, attended the official opening.
Mr Saunders said there was a ‘‘really good buzz around the building’’ from staff as they got into their first full day in the new office.
‘‘It’s been talked about for so long and it’s been a priority for us for such a long time.
‘‘Everyone was ready for it,’’ he said.
