Wattle Range Council has outlined the process going forward for the construction of its new Millicent office.

Earlier this month council selected the former netball courts on the corner of North Terrace and Williams Road, Millicent as the site for the proposed new council office.

Mayor Des Noll said the site was selected after reviewing community and staff survey results, exploring ideas and concepts around site selection with a local architect, listening to members of the Millicent RSL and a number of lengthy debates in the chamber.

“This was just one stage in a multistage decision-making process that started back in 2017,” he said.

“Council established its long-term strategic objective to review future expansion requirements and options for the council main office in its Strategic Plan 2018-2021.

After exhausting renovation options for the current site, it selected the former Millicent Community Club as its preferred site back in 2018, but that building was subsequently sold by the administrator before initial concept plans could be finalised.

“Now the former netball courts site has been confirmed, the next stage in the process will be to engage a suitably qualified architect to produce a detailed design that meets both the current and future needs of the council. It is assumed the purpose-built council office will serve the community well into the next century, so we need to get the design right.”

Mayor Noll said council now needed to “establish a realistic budget” and a detailed and independent prudential management plan would also be commissioned to ensure the project could be funded over its life.

“Once the design has been finalised, the next stage will be to seek tender submissions to construct the building. The tender selection criteria will be weighted towards local trades, services and suppliers in order to stimulate our local economy,” he said.

“Then and only then, will council make the final decision to fund the construction of a new office.

“Community consultation will take place throughout the various stages of the project to help inform council with its decision-making process.

“This is a big decision … one that will prepare our region for an even brighter and more prosperous future.”