Boyup Brook Shire Council approves relocation of chambers to Lesser Hall

A need to expand administration building office space will see the Boyup Brook Shire Council move their chambers to the Lesser Hall. The council approved the relocation at its May 30 ordinary meeting. The agenda item noted an expanding workforce and lack of office space capacity as a catalyst for the move. The option of adding more offices to the existing administration building, with projected cost of between $200,000 and $300,000 was deemed unfeasible, according to council staff. Shire president Richard Walker said the relocation of the chambers would be a permanent change and it was an opportunity to utilise the council’s existing assets. “What’s happening is that we’re struggling for space (for staff) and were looking at the options of spending more money to build additional offices,” he said. “We thought there was an opportunity for utilisation of existing assets, and we’re planning on going down that path and making better use of the Lesser Hall.” He said additional works would be done to the hall before the relocation commences. “There will be some additional works, although refurbishment of the Hall has been done,” Mr Walker said. “We’re looking to make room available for staff without incurring capital costs.” The relocation will be carried out in several stages, which include maintenance, installation of acoustic treatment, IT equipment and air conditioning in the hall, along with the construction of offices in the original chambers.