Three months after black mould forced the closure of parts of Thames-Coromandel District Council’s administration building, the council has been forced to act.

On Tuesday, councillors voted for an investigation and works budget of up to $500,000 to address not only the toxic workplace, but multiple compliance issues.

The Thames building carries an earthquake-prone label, holding a rating below 34% of the New Building Standard, and that is “expected to form a major component of any future refurbishment”, the council’s corporate services group manager, Oonagh Hopkins, said.

The building’s fire alarm systems, evacuation systems and fire-related construction create “life safety and statutory compliance risk”, the council agenda read, with multiple spaces also lacking fresh air supply.

Damage is even noticeable in council chambers, as councillor Flemming Rasmussen pointed from his seat saying, “the hole in the sarking is getting bigger and bigger”.

Thames Coromandel District Council councillor Flemming Rasmussen pointed out a glaring fix needed in council chambers. Photo / Supplied

Hopkins said the recommendation made to the council was to adopt a five-workstream approach, in which staff would come back “in August at the latest” with specific building upgrade options to be implemented.

About $50,000-$60,000 of the total $500,000 would be immediately attributed to fix “known building defects, reopen areas currently closed to staff and improve working conditions across both the TAB and County building”, Hopkins added, noting most of the work has already been quoted.

The council’s county building and the Whangamatā Service Centre were also included, as both contain active mould. Investigations into the main admin building have been running since 2017.

A “high-level cost” concept design was produced in 2025 by staff to fully refurbish the building, according to the agenda, totalling $14.1-$16 million. It remains subject to further review and refinement.

Thames-Coromandel District Council mayor Peter Revell is all smiles now his admin building is getting fixed. Photo / Supplied

Mayor Peter Revell said the work is “absolutely needed”, adding that he now hopes to see “rapid implementation” of initial works now that staff have the funding.

Revell couldn’t comment on why no concrete action was taken before the black mould arose, saying it was before his mayoral tenure.

He re-emphasised how the discovery of black mould three months ago, with the non-compliance, was the main driver. He added that the process of earthquake-proofing the building “began in the previous triennium”.

Staff factoring in amalgamation and the council’s three short-listed options is critical, as by the time their proposal is presented, the council will have “a much clearer idea” of which way the district will go, Revell said.

“Depending on which of those three options we adopt, we could end up potentially with three quite separate requirements for those buildings and teams.”

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.