Several Council facilities damaged during the floods including the Council Chambers, the Mullumbimby Civic Hall and the Petria Thomas Pool are all undergoing insurance assessments and repairs so they can return to full community use as soon as possible.
Restoration works have begun at the Council Chambers, which were damaged when storm water entered the building on 28 February.
The Chambers were stripped of flooring and lower walls to enable insurance assessments and further termite damage has been discovered in the wall cavities.
“Due to the extent of the damage discovered and the process for the rebuild, it could take many months and it may not be until next year before we can use the Chambers again,” Council’s Acting Director Corporate and Community Services, James Brickley said.
“The damage repairs are in the hands of the insurance company and licensed builders, and we can only be guided by their expertise and the information they provide us,” he said.
In the interim, Council meetings will continue to be held in the Conference Room on the ground floor of the Council offices in Mullumbimby.
There is room for a small gallery and members of the public are welcome, however priority will be given to people who’ve registered to speak at public access.
“We know there are a number of people who are regular faces at our Council meetings and it is disappointing that our Chambers are taking so long to repair but, like the floods, this circumstance is beyond our control,” Mr Brickley said.
Council’s meetings are livestreamed on its website and its Facebook page.
“On the up side, we have an opportunity to greatly improve these facilities and are working on plans to increase the accessibility and functionality of the Council Chambers,” Mr Brickley said.
Contractors are replacing flood-damaged floors at the Mullumbimby Civic Hall and works are underway at other Council-owned buildings impacted by the floods including the Community College and RFS building.
Repairs are also underway on the Petria Thomas Pool, which was flooded on 28 February. The pool is on track to be open for the summer season in September/October this year. Funding to assist with repairs is being sought through the Public Works Authority as part of Council’s claim for damages to Council facilities.
