The fate of the old Plunket building at Wairaka Park in Porirua's Pukerua Bay will be decided in the coming months.

At a Porirua City Council meeting on Thursday, councillors and Porirua Mayor Anita Baker discussed a report about whether the building - unused since 2021 and needing substantial repairs and a new roof - should be completely removed or restored for community use.

The cost to upgrade it to a safe and usable condition, according to the report, would be about $256,000, which Council has not budgeted for.

Although Plunket surrendered the building to Council in 2022, Plunket would cover the cost if it was decided it should be removed.

A pre-engagement report in 2023 indicated residents of Pukerua Bay had ideas such as a café or food business, or for the building to be used as a community hub.

Public submissions can be made on what to do with the building from 6 March via the public consultation page on Council’s website, and information will be available at Pukerua Bay Library. Council officers will also attend a meeting of the Pukerua Bay Residents Association on 11 March.

Submissions will close 6 April, there will be hearings in June, and Council’s Te Puna Kōrero will make a decision in July.

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