Commercial construction in Wanganui is on a roll with an unprecedented $70 million-plus worth of building either finished or ongoing in the last two years.
Wanganui District Council data show that, between February 2013 and February this year, council building inspectors signed off on 168 commercial building consents, representing an
estimated building cost value of $70,683,716.
Greg Hoobin, council's building control team leader, told the Chronicle buildings worth $21,500,000 were consented in 2013 but that jumped to $49,157,708 last year.
He said the impetus had carried over this year with building inspectors issuing 34 consents - eight of them for new residential properties.
If these projects have not directly involved Wanganui firms in lead roles, local firms have usually contributed as sub-contractors or suppliers. Big ticket items in the past two years include a start to the $22 million upgrade at Whanganui Prison and the completion of the $9.6 million Victoria retail centre, including the new Farmers department store. The other major construction job is a second drying tower for Open Country Dairy in Heads Rd. The company has not divulged the cost, but it will effectively double milk powder production from the factory to 60,000 tonnes annually.
