Toxic workplace: Black mould, compliance issues spell $500,000 fix for Thames-Coromandel admin buildings
Friday, 26 June 2026
Three months after black mould forced the closure of meeting rooms, toilets and offices in Thames-Coromandel District Council’s administration building, the council has been forced to act.
Tuesday saw councillors vote for an investigation and works budget of up to $500,000 to address not only the toxic workplace, but multiple compliance issues.
However, staff will have to prepare the fix options with local government amalgamation looming - and that could have quite a bearing.
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,” 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 Cnr Flemming Rasmussen pointed from his seat saying “the hole in the sarking is getting bigger and bigger”.
The recommendation made to 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, Hopkins said.
About $50-60,000 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.
The work is “absolutely needed”, Mayor Peter Revell said, adding he now hopes to see “rapid implementation” of initial works now 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 along with the non-compliance, was the main driver. He added that the process of earthquake-proofing of the building 'began in the previous triennium'.
Staff factoring in amalgamation and council’s three short-listed options is critical, Revell said, as by the time their proposal is presented, council will have 'a much clearer idea' of which way the district will go.
“Depending on which of those three options we adopt, we could end up potentially with three quite separate requirements for those buildings and teams,” Revell added.