The council’s 46 Beechworth staff moved into The Pines building at Mayday Hills on Friday.

That follows last year’s completion of new offices at Yackandandah, the home for another 43 administration and outdoor staff.

Mayor Bernard Gaffney was yesterday thrilled that the final move had been made.

“It’s been a long journey and we’ve finally reached the destination,” he said.

The quality of the refurbishment of The Pines and the Yackandandah offices showed the council had made the right decision.

Cr Gaffney said it was a tremendous outcome, given the situation in 2007-08 when the council wanted to spend up to $10 million on offices at Chiltern.

“I’m pleased to say the Yackandandah office cost $2.1 million and we secured a state government grant for that total amount,” he said.

“And the purchase of the building and land for the Beechworth office was $500,000, with the refurbishment costs just over $1 million.

“It’s been an economically responsible decision by the councillors and we’re very pleased with the outcome.

“The Chiltern move was economically unviable.”

Cr Gaffney said the facade of the 1930s The Pines was virtually untouched, “with a major refurbishment inside”.

“With five-metre ceilings, the building has an aura about it,” he said.

“I’m sure if the walls could talk they’d have plenty to say.

“It’s a beautiful building. Staff are very happy, as is the community.”

Several old solitary confinement cells in the east and west wings of The Pines will be used as meeting rooms and for storage.

Cr Gaffney said the move had gone smoothly, although there were still many boxes to unpack and a few communications and IT teething problems that would take another couple of days to sort out.

“Not all the phones are working yet,” he said.

Cr Gaffney said there would be a tea and scones opening of the building on April 18, with tours taking place every half an hour until midday.

“We’d like as many people as possible to turn up,” he said.

“It will be well worth the visit.”