The Otago Regional Council (ORC) has taken several steps today to address staff accommodation issues at its head office in Stafford Street, Dunedin.

The council has considered a confidential report from project managers Octa Associates which outlined options for a new or redeveloped headquarters, and includes likely building costs.

ORC chairman Stephen Woodhead said the OCTA report would be used to help find and assess new headquarters sites.

Cr Woodhead said the council agreed that the 2012-2021 Long term Plan should be prepared with provision in the 2012-2013 financial year to develop building proposals as well as obtain cost estimates and planning approvals for selected sites.

The public will be consulted in the 2013-14 Annual Plan on funding and expenditure issues associated with the proposal for a permanent headquarters.

Provision will also be made in 2012-2013 for development of a temporary building in the lower carpark of the existing Stafford Street premises to alleviate overcrowding.

He said the council's architects were providing design proposals and cost estimates for this building, which would serve as a council chamber, consent and plan hearing rooms, public meeting space, and operations headquarters for the Otago Civil Defence and Emergency Management group.

"We have a responsibility to our staff and to members of the public who transact business here to provide functional accommodation. This is a responsibility and duty of care which we take seriously, and which we will not shrink from," Cr Woodhead said.