The fate of the old Plunket building at Wairaka Park in Pukerua Bay will be decided in the coming months, as Porirua City Council opens public consultation on its future.
At a council meeting on Thursday, councillors and Mayor Anita Baker reviewed a report outlining options: removing the structure or restoring it for community use. The building, unused since 2021, requires significant repairs and a new roof, with costs estimated at $256,000—an amount not currently budgeted for.
Plunket surrendered the building to the council in 2022, and while they would cover removal costs if demolition is chosen, some residents have suggested alternative uses, including a café, food business, or community hub.
Public submissions will be open from 6 March via the council’s website and the Pukerua Bay Library. Council officers will also attend a Pukerua Bay Residents Association meeting on 11 March to discuss the options. The submission period closes on 6 April, followed by hearings in June. A final decision is expected from the council’s Te Puna Kōrero committee in July.