Buller District Council’s Brougham House offices to close for HVAC installation

Buller District Council’s Westport offices in Brougham Street will close temporarily between Monday 3 March and Friday 28 March 2025 to allow for installation of a heating, ventilation and cooling system (HVAC).

Group Manager Infrastructure Services Anthony Blom says: “Brougham House currently has no centralised heating or cooling system. The new system will be installed so it is functional ahead of the winter season and will be more efficient than the previous coal-fired boiler system, which was decommissioned in 2023. Installation of the new system will improve working conditions for staff, particularly during the hottest and coldest months of the year and remove the need for less-efficient supplementary heating and cooling devices.”

Council’s customer services staff will relocate to the Sue Thomson Casey Memorial Library at 87-89 Palmerston Street and will be able to assist members of the public with general enquiries and payments during the library’s opening hours, 9:30 am – 5:00 pm weekdays.

Residents can also use council’s online payment option to pay for a range of services including rates, building consent fees, resource consent fees, dog registration and LIMs.

“Other Brougham House staff will relocate and work from alternative council buildings and facilities during this period” says Mr. Blom.

Members of the public who have scheduled appointments with the building and planning teams will still be able to meet with staff, the meeting location will be advised prior to your appointment. Please note, drop-in consultations with our planning and building staff will not be available during this period without prior arrangement, but queries can be fielded online and by phone.

The Buller community will be kept up to date about the reopening of council’s Brougham House offices via the BDC website, Facebook page, advertisements in local papers and on Coast FM.

The upgrade of Brougham House was initially included in the 2021/22 Annual Plan but was delayed due to shifting priorities after the July 2021 and February 2022 floods. The project has been significantly reduced from its original scope and only the HVAC component will be installed at this time.

Installation of the heating and ventilation system, including replacement of the switchboard, which was completed in 2023, will cost $258,000 and was included in the 2023/2024 Annual Plan budget.

The project’s design and build is being undertaken using local expertise from Electro Services Limited and Adams Construction.

Brougham House was built in the 1950s, and its original coal-fired boiler was removed in 2023 as part of a national initiative to decommission this type of heating system.

-ENDS-

For further information please contact:
Community Engagement Team
Buller District Council
Media.Enquiries@bdc.govt.nz