The structure will remain in Wachner Pl but be closer to Dee St as part of upgrades to Esk St West and a new hotel.
The developer, Distinction Hotels, has been working with Invercargill City Council on plans for the area, which include a new lane for coaches through Wachner Pl.
But because the clock was in a "very tight location", according to the council report prepared for yesterday’s meeting, it needed to be shifted.
Most of the work required to connect Esk St West and Dee St for the bus lane would be paid for by the developer, with the council putting aside $4 million for street improvements, potential soil contamination and unforeseen requirements.
The clock would also receive a major overhaul as part of the relocation.
Council chief engineer infrastructure Russell Pearson said the clock needed to be taken out of its old structure in order to be repaired anyway.
"What we do know is that the clock mechanism needs some refurbishment.
"It’s been sitting there ticking away for 20 years and I guess it’s time to take it to bits and fix the bits."
Councillor Darren Ludlow expressed concern the bells would be reinstated, saying it created issues for accommodation in the area.
Mr Pearson said the clock would be rebuilt so the bells could ring, but whether they did or not could be managed like in the past.
Mayor Nobby Clark spoke favourably of the hotel's financial contribution and collaboration with the council for the Esk St West upgrade, saying it took away the risk of work not being done in time.
"The cost is a fraction of what was projected for that part of town."
Councillor Steve Broad was also pleased with what he had seen, saying he was excited when the plan came through.
"It shows that there really has been attention paid to some of the concerns raised throughout the Wachner Pl submission process."
The council said the clock would move about 23m in a plan which would align it to the west boundary line of Dee St.
It was expected the Esk St West upgrades would be completed in the second quarter of 2025.
■LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
