A mould infestation at a Riverland council's building is believed to have triggered several cases of respiratory issues in council staff members over a number of months.
Independent testing commissioned by the Loxton Waikerie Council found air quality issues within five offices on the southern side of the heritage-listed Institute building, caused by the presence of airborne mould spores.
Council chief executive David Beaton said around half a dozen staff members had been unwell on and off for a number of months.
"The independent testing indicates the need for extensive remedial action to alleviate the effects of high build-up of mould and the extreme readings for spore levels," he said.
"The safe level is 1,000 and some of our offices were showing 17,000, 18,000.
"We're treating it similar to how you'd treat asbestos. Spores can have adverse affects on your health."
The mould was discovered when an environmental health officer using one of the affected offices spotted the mould near the ceiling, prompting the council to get levels tested.
Storm damage leads to mould
"We've had a couple of staff that had respiratory issues, [including] one person who had extended respiratory issues," Mr Beaton said.
"We moved them to another part of the building in [another] office and suddenly they were feeling better.
"That was one of the signs that we had bigger issues."
Mr Beaton said he was unsure how long the mould had been present in the building but attributed the infestation to ongoing water damage problems.
"We've had three rain events that caused damage over the past 10 years … I'm not exactly sure when the problem started to occur.
"All I know is we certainly have an issue now and we need to address it."
Staff relocated for mould removal
The council will now lease another building in Loxton on Bookpurnong Terrace, relocating its principal office as remedial works begin.
Staff working in impacted offices have already relocated to their homes or another site.
"This is not a long-term solution though, and staff and the community cannot remain in this building while extensive renovation works are undertaken," Mr Beaton said.
"The whole of the building is heritage listed so we have to work with the heritage branch for the development application [to work out] what can be done and what can't.
"It's not a simple process and it could take a couple of years."
Loxton Waikerie has signed a five-year lease for the new building at a cost of $45,000 per annum.
$400,000 has been allocated towards capital improvements on the heritage-listed Institute building to ensure it is safe and suitable as a council office.
Mr Beaton said the council is awaiting results from an insurance claim, which will offset the remediation costs.
"It's a really important building to council and the community and one we have to look after," he said.
