WINZ move cost $35K

The relocation of all Wanganui's Work and Income functions to Terrace House last year cost the Ministry of Social Development $35,000.

That figure, released this week to the Wanganui Chronicle under the Official Information Act, included costs associated with the removal of Ministry fittings from buildings on Victoria Ave and St Hill St, and the relocation of office furniture and equipment.

The move came after engineers carried out a seismic assessment of all 286 buildings occupied by the Ministry.

Ministry deputy chief executive Marc Warner said the Victoria Ave and St Hill St buildings were vacated because of the way they would perform in a one-in-500-years earthquake.

Engineers deemed those buildings may not withstand such a quake safely. Mr Warner said the engineers also took into consideration earthquake zones, the buildings' ages and their construction types.

As a result of the assessment, 74 Ministry employees were required to move into Terrace House, at 133 Wicksteed St. They perform all Wanganui's Work and Income functions and occupy the first, second and third floors of the building.

Mr Warner said the Ministry was discussing long-term accommodation options with Wanganui property owners, with final decisions still to be made.

"We'll be in a better position to talk about this once those discussions are complete," he said.