Finlayson asked the Auditor-General to examine the council’s procurement process and said they should have used a “what’s best for project and ratepayer” approach from the outset.
But the Auditor-General has now released a review of the council’s process, saying it followed “good practice”.
The review also examined whether council staff had pre-determined the best way to upgrade the building, but found they had considered options.
“Based on what we have seen, it does not appear that the Council pre-determined the option for strengthening the Library or who would be selected to deliver those services.”
Council chief executive Barbara McKerrow said she was pleased the Auditor-General had concluded her staff were diligent and professional in their decision-making around the choice of a strengthening solution.
“I’m pleased to say that the serious work to base-isolate the library building has already started and that we’re expecting our much-loved and transformed library to be reopened in early 2026.”