Councillors voted yesterday to approve the expenditure but dismissed suggestions of broader plans to develop the building.

With the council trying to rein in an $8million deficit and resist a merger with Newcastle council, larger scale work on its headquarters is off the agenda.

Mayor Jodie Harrison said expanding or redeveloping the building was ‘‘not in our 10-year plan’’.

‘‘There’s no intention to do major extensions or renovations,’’ Cr Harrison said.

In 2007, senior council staff proposed a $57million plan to move the council’s headquarters to Glendale.

Redeveloping the Speers Point site was estimated in the same report at $31million.

In July 2011, councillors declared a preference to ‘‘retain and expand the council administration centre at Speers Point’’, rather than construct a new building in Glendale.

This was despite senior council staff stating at the time it would be a ‘‘logical strategic decision’’ to move to Glendale as it was an emerging sub-regional centre, where a transport interchange was proposed.

Cr Harrison said the council was committed to stay at Speers Point.

‘‘We have land around the building and room for growth, if we need to grow,’’ she said.

Councillor Barry Johnston said the Speers Point building was ‘‘fairly old now and we can develop around it’’.

‘‘We don’t necessarily need to do a major extension,’’ he said.

As for the roof, a council report said it was in ‘‘poor condition’’.

‘‘The building has numerous leaks in heavy rain and does not meet Australian standards,’’ the report said.

‘‘Several rectification works have been carried out in previous years and have been ineffective or have deteriorated over time.’’

The council said it commissioned a ‘‘roof condition report’’ from Australia Wide Roofing to advise on the roof’s condition.

The company recommended the 30-year-old roof be replaced.

The new roof will include a platform to install solar panels, but the roof cost does not include the panels.

Solar panels would be installed separately within a year, the council said.