A two-stage redevelopment of the Oamaru Library, Forrester Gallery, North Otago Museum and Archives, received a mixed reaction at the Waitaki District Council's long term plan hearing yesterday.
First proposed in the 2009-19 long term plan, the redevelopment project was reviewed last year and a new plan developed, which has been included in this year's draft plan for community comment.
The first stage now is to redevelop the Forrester Gallery and add a new museum building, estimated to cost $6 million, in the 2014-15 year, then redevelop the library and archive in the present buildings.
The council estimated if ratepayers contributed $1.5 million to the first stage and a 10-year loan, it would add $15 a year to a residential rate of $2000 a year.
No cost was estimated for the second stage library and archives redevelopment.
A survey residents could fill out on draft plan issues, which received more than 300 replies, had split views, 36% supporting the museum and gallery on one site and 39% opposed.
However, Waitaki Mayor Alex Familton warned the council had "some serious prioritising to do" and the redevelopment would not take place in the near future, and perhaps not in the longer term.
Friends of Forrester Gallery chairman Bruce Albiston supported redevelopment of the gallery. While gallery redevelopment on its own was preferred, the proposal to incorporate the museum recognised the real financial pressures facing the council and ratepayers.
"It does offer a practical way forward, after many years of frustration," he said.
Kakanui resident John Chetwin, who is also deputy chairman of Friends of Forrester Gallery, said the Forrester Gallery redevelopment should "take primacy". It was "the gem of the town", with a national reputation and very important collection.
Bruce Comfort, of Oamaru, said the Oamaru library and museum could be relocated, if space was an issue, but the effect on the townscape of lower Thames St needed to be considered. The gallery should stay where it was, with its great presence in an entirely appropriate building, he said.
Jacqui Foley, of Duntroon, said it was important the museum was "not just tacked on to the gallery".
Margery Uttley, of Oamaru, said that should happen only if it was cheaper than strengthening the museum building.
The Waihemo Community Board also supported combining the gallery and museum, chairman Rod Philip said. He made a plea for an outreach programme to take exhibits to rural areas and for the council to continue its support for the Waihemo Heritage Trust.
Ron Sim, of Oamaru, said the former bank building was not a good one for an art gallery. Its multiple storeys were difficult for staff and some visitors, he said. A single storey would be better and he suggested redeveloping the former railways goods shed in the historic area.
"It is really time to let go of some of the sentiment relating to old buildings ... that do not meet modern day requirements," he said.
John Miller, of Oamaru supported the views of some others when he said money should not be spent on the redevelopment at this time, while another Oamaru resident, Julie Everson, said that could be better spent surveying and strengthening historical buildings.
