Auckland Council's $157m spend on new building 'pure madness'

Last July, the council's former chief executive, Doug McKay, said the council had planned to have its fit-out and upgrade judged under the Green Star rating scheme. Photo / Greg Bowker

A councillor has called it "pure madness" to spend $157.4 million on the council's new central Auckland premises.

Cameron Brewer said the $53.4 million refurbishment of the council's Albert St headquarters, which it bought for $104 million, was excessive and unnecessary.

"It's just nonsense, pure madness and another example of green tokenism that comes at a huge cost to the poor old ratepayer," he said of the purchase and refit of 135 Albert St, previously the ASB Bank Centre, where $53.4 million will be spent over 10 years in fit-out and capital costs.

But a council spokesman said the block housed about 2400 staff over 29 floors, had been built to a high standard and maintained over its life, and ratepayers had got the best deal.

"The purchase price and the fit-out costs were included in the assessment of all possible options, which included constructing a new building. The current option was the lowest-cost option overall. The council undertook extensive due diligence before purchasing the building," he said.

Last July, the council's former chief executive, Doug McKay, said the council had planned to have its fit-out and upgrade judged under the Green Star rating scheme of the Green Building Council, and the changes marked an important opportunity to transform the building and set the standard for others.

The council spokesman said a leak on level 23 was due to a minor split in the silicon sealant around a double-glazed window unit. The split allowed water to enter a localised area after heavy rainfall this month.

"The issue is minor and can occur to any modern window unit. It is avoided on all buildings by conducting regular inspections, when the sealant is checked and replenished where necessary. The window sealants for 135 Albert St are checked during scheduled window cleaning.

"The refurbishment of 135 Albert St requires the erection of exterior scaffolding and swinging-stage work. For obvious health and safety reasons, the regular window cleaning schedule [is] on hold and this means some window sealant inspections have been deferred for a short time," the spokesman said.

"During this time there was a risk some sealants could split without being resealed, resulting in minor water intrusion. With the scaffolding now removed, the regular maintenance schedule has recommenced."