Museum opening date should be known within 6 months

Otago Daily Times

01-07-2025

A date for the opening of Te Unua Museum of Southland should be known within six months.
At the Invercargill City Council's infrastructure and projects committee meeting yesterday a report updating councillors on the progress of the build was tabled by independent project director Nick Hamlin.
Mr Hamlin began the part-time role at the beginning of June.
In the report Mr Hamlin outlined the factors that could put the project behind schedule and ways of mitigating those factors.
Speaking to his report, Mr Hamlin said construction company Naylor Love was on target to finish the building on schedule in September next year.
However, the risks identified were related to fitting out the museum, including the education and central foyer areas.
During the discussion Cr Tom Campbell asked for reassurance those working on the project were committed to have at least part of the building opened by the planned date of Christmas next year.
Mr Hamlin said at this point staff were working through the risks.
"It would be remiss of us to commit to a timeline until we're really confident we've got those areas well-known and knowledged and a plan around them."
Council capital portfolio group manager Jamie Garnett said it would take between three and six months for staff to be confident of an opening date.
Cr Ian Pottinger said people he spoke to wanted to know when the museum would be open and if it would be on budget.
Mr Garnett said there was no more money for the build apart from what had been budgeted for.
"At this point of time we are working within our budget and contracting our major pieces of work within that budget."
Cr Trish Boyle said the residents she chatted to wanted the museum "done and done right".
Therefore she was not in favour of the museum being opened in stages.
"It's important for us as a community to see what it is when it opens, not as it might be."
Cr Darren Ludlow said he cautioned rushing the project.
"There are risks in thumping the table and trying to put a magic date on it and get things to happen."
When projects were sped up the costs increased, he said.
Cr Steve Broad said he would sooner swallow his pride, wait a few more months and open a museum that was worthy of its residents.
"For me on time is when it is ready for our community."
Council chief executive Michael Day said the challenge of fitting out the museum would be finding staff to complete the work.
Committee chairman Grant Dermody said it was important to remember how far the project had come in a short time.
It was a "50-year asset for our community" and another 12 months would not change that, he said.
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