Buildings cater for EVs

A $9 million Kaipara building housing about 80 local body staff from the Northern Regional Council and Kaipara District Council is expected to open late next year and include solar power and EV charging.

The project is being developed at 32 Hokianga Rd in Dargaville by the NRC and about a dozen of its operational field staff, associated vehicles and specialist equipment will eventually be based there, while the KDC has signed up as a key tenant.

The NRC paid $465,000 for the 1235 square metre property in late 2017 and began planning the project soon after, NRC chair and its Kaipara constituency representative Penny Smart says.

“Given our two councils have a mutual ratepayer base and the district council’s current base nearby is no longer suitable for continued use without extensive and costly modification, it makes sense for us to share a single purpose-built modern site.”

Kaipara mayor Dr Jason Smith says both councils collectively view the development as not only a good investment, but an important sign of ongoing confidence in Dargaville’s future, particularly as the North attempts to recover economically from the COVID-19 pandemic.

It will incorporate a range of environmentally-friendly features.

Demolition of an existing building and new construction work will begin in July with the building expected to be commissioned by early 2022.

More buildings are becoming e-mobility friendly

or aim for tenants, owners and others to use shared mobility services to avoid parking and commute issues while helping the environment.