Queenstown heritage architect Jackie Gillies has recommended an extension to the Dunedin Town Hall and Dunedin Centre be considered only as a last option.
A Dunedin City Council subcommittee is considering two proposals to increase space in the 79-year-old adjoining buildings - either gutting and reconfiguring the Dunedin Centre within the existing walls, or adding an atrium on the Harrop St side of both buildings.
The extension has been vigorously opposed by the citizens' group Hands Off Harrop, which says it will appeal to the Environment Court should consent be granted.
Ms Gillies has been an architect for more than 20 years specialising in the conservation and reuse of heritage buildings.
She trained and worked in the UK before emigrating to New Zealand in 1988.
In her detailed 324-page report commissioned by the council, she said additions to the exterior of the town hall would need to be "extremely carefully considered in order to avoid detracting from both the bulk appearance of the building and/or the rhythm provided by the articulation and placing of openings on all facades".
"Should the option be considered, any discussion should be based on real and proven need."
The same principle applied to modifications, she said, "in particular to new openings on any elevations, which should be undertaken only as a last option".
The conservation report "brought a lot of information together into one place,"council strategy and development general manager Kate Styles said yesterday.
It would form part of the documentation the council used to apply for planning approval once a redevelopment option was selected.
The conservation report contract had been tendered, she said.
It and further work on heritage still to be done would cost the council "less than $30,000 in total".
"To put the cost in perspective, it is 0.0006666 of the total project cost ($45 million) as identified in the council's Annual Plan."
Ms Styles said she was aware many people were wondering what was happening with the Dunedin Centre plans.
"It might seem that nothing is happening, but consultants are doing a huge amount of work behind the scenes."
Meetings would be held on August 19 and 20 to update the public on the redevelopment options, she said.
Both would be held in the Glenroy Auditorium from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.
