A report to Council last week raised concerns about the condition of the building. "predominantly from an Occupational health and Safety (OH&S) aspect, these concerns cover a wide range of issues from the state of floor coverings to the evidence of water ingress from the roofed areas."

The NSW Department of Commerce was recently engaged to provide a condition assessment of the building with a view to presenting Council will nucleus of a plan for any future remedial works.

Notable concerns are; the poor state of floor coverings; the ingress of water to office space on the first floor during periods of rain; the spalling of wall render in some offices; the existence of higher than expected dust levels and bird dander emanating from upper level roof spaces; and the deteriorated condition of external balustrade spires, posing a threat to public and employees located on public areas in Wallace Street.

A copy of the report will be tabled at the meeting, however it must be said that the author was impressed with the grandeur of the building as with its overall structural condition (notwithstanding its age).

The building was completed in 1869 and had some later additions in 1891, and historically housed the library, with a ballroom upstairs.

The report recommend a series of prioritised works with timeframes ranging from those requiring immediate attention to those to be done within the next two years, and Council will seek quotes for the work.

The General Manager said that it was the Council's obligation to upkeep the building not withstanding the Health and Safety issues.

Caption

The deteriorated condition of the spires posing a threat to public and employees located on public areas in Wallace Street and may be removed temporarily.