Plans for the proposed $5.5m office in Millicent for Wattle Range Council have won the support of the majority of councillors.

Architectural sketches and floor plans for the proposed North Terrace facility were endorsed by a near-unanimous vote at the monthly council meeting on Tuesday night in Millicent.

Councillors also approved a sum of $295,000 in order to further progress the project by obtaining detailed costings.

Tuesday night’s vote was in line with staff recommendations and was the culmination of many months of discussions involving council staff, elected members and architects from Mount Gambier firm Chapman Herbert.

Ahead of the vote, there was 15 minutes of debate involving most councillors and senior staff.

Mayor Des Noll set the tone of the debate with his introductory remarks.

“This is not about the location,” Mr Noll said.

“We do not want to be going down rabbit holes and talk about curtains and furniture.”

Cr Dean Burrow said he was worried that council was doing planning and design aspects at the same time.

According to Cr Dale Price, the proposed office was being built in the
wrong location and he
would say this to his dying day.

However, Cr Price said the council staff deserved a new office and he liked the design.

Some councillors expressed car parking concerns but engineering services director Peter Halton said the 60 staff would have access to 100 off-street parking spaces.

Cr Kevin McGrath queried the lack of building extension points, Cr John Drew said the design had received positive feedback from staff and Cr Moira Neagle said she liked the flow-through work areas.

Mayor Noll welcomed the outcome of the vote.

“This is a strong decision,” he said.

A final decision to proceed with construction has not yet been taken.