The Government has submitted a planning application for work to replace the roof of Government House.

A spokeswoman for the Cabinet Office confirmed the move in a press statement, adding: “Pending planning approval, it’s anticipated that the works at Government House will commence soon after.

“The Ministry of Public Works will manage the planned refurbishments and oversee the project.

“While these works are taking place the Governor will continue to reside at a temporary location.”

The House of Assembly heard in 2022 that the 19th-century building on Langton Hill was suffering from extensive water damage because of leaking roofs and faulty windows but major repairs were deferred owing to a lack of cash.

It was revealed last year the building, the official residence of the Governor, was considered unsafe and not fit to live in and urgent work was required to make the building ready for occupation.

The structure’s roof and windows need to be replaced or repaired and the full remediation is expected to take three to five years.

During the Budget debate, it was announced that $2.684 million had been allocated in the 2024/25 Budget for repairs to the ageing structure.

A post on the Government House Facebook page in February said that the Governor, her family and staff had “temporarily relocated to a property in Paget”.