Masterton Town Hall Demolition Faces Last-Minute Halt Bid
Councillor Seeks Council Review Amid Community Concerns
A significant move is underway to halt the planned demolition of Masterton’s historic Town Hall and associated projects, with a councillor pushing for an immediate pause to allow for further community consultation and strategic review.
Urgent Motion Filed to Stall Projects
Councillor Tim Nelson, supported by Councillor Brent Goodwin, has lodged a formal Notice of Motion requesting a complete stop to all physical and administrative activities concerning the Town Hall demolition and the Waiata House expansion. The proposal also advocates for suspending procurement and planning related to these projects until the council re-evaluates its long-term priorities and engages more deeply with residents.
Nelson stated the motion was driven by public feedback addressing concerns over escalating costs, the preservation of heritage sites, and the alignment of major capital works with current community needs and fiscal responsibility. He emphasized the need for prudence, especially given the current economic climate.
In a statement to Local Democracy Reporting, Nelson highlighted the upcoming council meeting as a critical juncture. He anticipates the vote will reveal which council members are committed to proceeding despite financial uncertainties and infrastructure challenges, particularly noting the ongoing discussions around water infrastructure. “It will be great if it passes, but I think that it will be tough to get it through,” he commented, adding that the timing before an election would compel clear stances from councillors.
Background on Council Decisions and Funding
The Masterton council’s 2024-34 Long-Term Plan included a majority decision to demolish the earthquake-vulnerable town hall and municipal building, replacing them with a new structure estimated at $25 million. Concurrently, plans were approved to enlarge Waiata House for an additional $8.7 million, intended to house Civil Defence, customer services, a council chamber, meeting rooms, and a laboratory.
Earlier this year, an independent commissioner granted resource consent for the demolition of the century-old civic buildings. The tender process for the demolition work is currently underway, with proposals due by August 5th. A preliminary design for the new build has been received, and planning advice awaits cost validation from a quantity surveyor.
Concerns have surfaced regarding the Waiata House extension project, with reports in June revealing that the council was exploring alternative designs after initial costings exceeded the allocated budget. These sensitive commercial details are scheduled for discussion in a public-excluded session at Wednesday’s meeting.
The debate over significant public spending comes as local governments nationwide grapple with rising construction costs. For instance, the average cost of a new public building project in New Zealand has seen a notable increase, reflecting global supply chain and labor market pressures, with some projects experiencing budget overruns of 20-30% compared to initial estimates (RNZ, 2025).
