Toxic mould creates havoc at council

Office equipment at Tauranga City Council are being cleaned down and moved out to where about half of the entire staff have been relocated following a mould outbreak in the building.

People in white paper suits and masks can be seen today cleaning down computers, desks and desk chairs. The equipment was being cleaned down and moved out to help council staff in their work at various other locations after they were evacuated when an outbreak of toxic black mould Stachybotrys.

About 170 people are operating from locations including Baycourt Theatre and Harrington House.

The mould was discovered last week after a council worker fell sick.

At a media briefing this morning, people were told about 30 per cent of the building had been contaminated by the mould. Council staff were waiting on further test results to arrive on Friday.