Two school building projects among $21m worth of council approved commercial consents

The two improvement projects are among $21 million worth of commercial building consents approved in June. Photo / Getty

More than $450,000 worth of school improvements are in the pipeline at Malfroy School and Rotorua Lakes High School.

The two improvement projects are among $21 million worth of commercial building consents approved in June.

In April the total of residential and commercial consents issued was a little over $18.5m. May's approved building consents dropped to nearly $14.9m.

Figures from the Rotorua Lakes Council obtained by the Rotorua Daily Post show a building consent valued at $250,000 has been issued for Malfroy School, while $208,000 was approved for Rotorua Lakes High.

Malfroy School principal Nicky Brell said the school's consent would allow for addressing weather-tightness issues and modernising the senior classrooms.

The project is the first stage of a wider upgrade plan funded by the Ministry of Education's School Investment Package.

"We're so grateful to have the support of the Ministry," Brell told the Rotorua Daily Post.

Brell said the 66-year-old school had been assessed for water damage caused over time in the wall structures.

The works will begin at the end of term three and hopefully be completed over the school holidays. Stage two of the project will begin in the new year.

"We're looking forward to seeing the kids enjoy all the improvements," Brell said.

Rotorua Lakes High School is working to improve its administration block.

"We're changing the configuration of our office space," principal Jon Ward said.

"We've been given some funding through the Ministry of Education to do that. I only wish we could do more."

The Rotorua Lakes Council has approved a $250,000 building consent for Malfroy School. Photo / File

The two consents were the second and third highest value for the month.

The highest valued building consent amounted to $1.5m for a commercial addition at 30 Fairy Springs Rd.

AH Architectural Design and Drafting did not want to provide details about the project without speaking to its clients first.

Rounding out the top five largest consents was $100,000 for earthquake strengthening at 1203 Tutanekai St and $95,000 for office space alterations at 1205 Amohia St.

The consent for school improvements approved last month also follows consent granted to a new science block at Rotorua Boys' High School.

In May, a building consent valued at $5.5 million was issued for a science facility at the school. The new block would include 10 teaching spaces plus offices, preparation rooms and common areas and replaces a 1930s facility no longer fit for purpose.

A Rotorua Lakes Council spokesperson said commercial consents accounted for only 8 per cent of the 57 building consents currently being processed.

"The majority of our work at the moment relates to residential building work," the spokesperson said.

Colliers International broker Mark Rendell said the industrial sector had been "pretty busy".

"There are a lot of investors looking to secure properties and leases but there's not a lot of stock.

"Buyers do have to be very quick when they do see industrial investment opportunities come in."

June's top five commercial consents ranked by value:

• 30 Fairy Springs Rd – commercial addition - $1.5m
• Malfroy School – alterations and strengthening - $250,000
• Rotorua Lakes High School – internal alterations - $208,000
• 1203 Tutanekai St – earthquake strengthening - $100,000
• 1205 Amohia St – office space alterations - $95,000