Rangitīkei Emergency Operations Centre gets green light
Rangitīkei District Council has confirmed it will move ahead with plans to build a dedicated Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) in Marton, ensuring the district has a purpose-built facility to coordinate emergency response well into the future.
July 07, 2026
While Council paused the wider Marton community hub and office redevelopment in May to allow time to assess the impact of the Government’s proposed local government reforms, it has agreed the Rangitīkei Emergency Operations Centre remains a critical priority for the district.
At its meeting on Thursday 25 June, Council received initial draft concept imagery and construction costs for the project – approving an increase to the project budget from $2 million to $3.2million.
Initial draft concept imagery of Rangitīkei Emergency Operations Centre - subject to change.
Rangitīkei Mayor Andy Watson said the decision reflected Council’s responsibility to ensure Rangitīkei is prepared for emergencies.
“Our district covers a large and challenging landscape, with our communities spread across a wide area – including a significant section of State Highway One. When emergencies happen, having the right facilities in place to coordinate the response will make a real difference to our capability.
“The need for a modern Emergency Operations Centre remains a critical investment in the safety and resilience of Rangitīkei.”
The revised project budget reflects current construction costs and detailed design work completed since the project was first costed. Factors contributing to the increase include industry-wide construction cost increases, the need for more site works to ensure compliance, and specialist infrastructure required to support the building in an emergency setting – including space for backup power generators and additional fuel storage.
The total project budget is now $3.2million, with the additional $1.2million being funded from budget already set aside for the wider Marton High Street redevelopment project.
Designed as an Importance Level Four (IL4) building, the Rangitīkei Emergency Operations Centre will provide Council with a resilient facility capable of operating during and after emergency events. While its primary purpose is to support civil defence and emergency management, the building will also include several meeting rooms that can be utilised by Council staff and booked by community groups outside emergency situations.
Mayor Watson says creating a building with multiple uses would ensure it remained a valuable community asset every day, not just during emergencies.
“This building will be working for Rangitīkei year-round. Outside of emergency events it will provide flexible meeting spaces that can be used by both Council and the public, making it a practical investment that delivers ongoing value.”
More information on the Rangitīkei Emergency Operations Centre (EOC):
More information on Marton Community Hub and High Street Office redevelopment: