I’ve got to say that I’m getting very close to losing all confidence in the Canterbury Museum redevelopment project.

Because, increasingly, the people behind it seem to be trying to hold the city to ransom. Saying now that, if they can’t get their hands on more city council money ASAP, there’ll be delays and way more expense. About $7 million more.

So what I knew was going to happen, has happened. But even though they’ve got us over a barrel, we can’t stop now.

This is the big museum redevelopment project that had an original budget of $205 million. Which increased to $247 million last year. And, earlier this year, blew out by another $15 million.

That was when the museum crowd went cap in hand to the council, asking for more money.

The council agreed. Throwing-in another $15 million. Taking Christchurch’s commitment to $74 million for the project.

But, as well as that, the council also agreed to lend the museum a further $28.6 million. Providing the museum could get another $15 million from the Government - which has already contributed $35 million.

But that hasn’t happened. And so, now, the museum wants to get its hands on the council loan. Even though it hasn’t got the money from the Government. Which the council said had to happen first before the loan money would become available.

The museum has told the council that, if the money isn’t handed over very soon, there’ll be further delays and the total cost of the project could blow-out by another $7.2 million.

But, even though I think the council has every right to tell the museum to take a flying leap, I think it should agree to make the loan money available.

Even though the museum seemed to be happy earlier in the year with the condition that the loan wouldn’t be available until the Government had chipped-in, I think the council should agree.

Even though I’m getting that close to losing all faith in the people running the project.

Because what’s the alternative? Another mothballed heritage building in Christchurch?

Besides which, the museum is much more of a public facility than the Anglican Cathedral ever will be.

And I would have thought that the Government would have been way more inclined to help out because of that. Remembering that Finance Minister Nicola Willis turned the taxpayer tap off for the cathedral because of her view that it isn’t a true public facility.

Councillors, though, don’t seem to be as forgiving as I am.

Councillor Sam MacDonald, who worked on the package earlier this year which gave the museum the extra $15 million and the loan arrangement, has told the press that the museum should be talking to Wellington. Instead of hassling the council.

He says: “Between now and the election, their focus really needs to be on securing the remaining $15 million from central government. That is the critical piece needed to get the project locked in and moving.”

He makes a very good point, saying that the City Council didn’t have any say on the design of the redevelopment and how much was going to be spent on it, but is still being expected to pick up the pieces.

I agree with all that.

Nevertheless, if the museum can’t get the council loan money ASAP, even though they haven’t met their side of the deal, the whole project could be delayed by another 12 months, and the cost could go up by another $7 million.

So, there’s only one choice.

LISTEN ABOVE

I’ve got to say that I’m getting very close to losing all confidence in the Canterbury Museum redevelopment project.
Because, increasingly, the people behind it seem to be trying to hold the city to ransom. Saying now that, if they can’t get their hands on more city council money ASAP, there’ll be delays and way more expense. About $7 million more.
So what I knew was going to happen, has happened. But even though they’ve got us over a barrel, we can’t stop now.
This is the big museum redevelopment project that had an original budget of $205 million. Which increased to $247 million last year. And, earlier this year, blew out by another $15 million.
That was when the museum crowd went cap in hand to the council, asking for more money.
The council agreed. Throwing-in another $15 million. Taking Christchurch’s commitment to $74 million for the project.
But, as well as that, the council also agreed to lend the museum a further $28.6 million. Providing the museum could get another $15 million from the Government - which has already contributed $35 million.
But that hasn’t happened. And so, now, the museum wants to get its hands on the council loan. Even though it hasn’t got the money from the Government. Which the council said had to happen first before the loan money would become available.
The museum has told the council that, if the money isn’t handed over very soon, there’ll be further delays and the total cost of the project could blow-out by another $7.2 million.
But, even though I think the council has every right to tell the museum to take a flying leap, I think it should agree to make the loan money available.
Even though the museum seemed to be happy earlier in the year with the condition that the loan wouldn’t be available until the Government had chipped-in, I think the council should agree.
Even though I’m getting that close to losing all faith in the people running the project.
Because what’s the alternative? Another mothballed heritage building in Christchurch?
Besides which, the museum is much more of a public facility than the Anglican Cathedral ever will be.
And I would have thought that the Government would have been way more inclined to help out because of that. Remembering that Finance Minister Nicola Willis turned the taxpayer tap off for the cathedral because of her view that it isn’t a true public facility.
Councillors, though, don’t seem to be as forgiving as I am.
Councillor Sam MacDonald, who worked on the package earlier this year which gave the museum the extra $15 million and the loan arrangement, has told the press that the museum should be talking to Wellington. Instead of hassling the council.
He says: “Between now and the election, their focus really needs to be on securing the remaining $15 million from central government. That is the critical piece needed to get the project locked in and moving.”
He makes a very good point, saying that the City Council didn’t have any say on the design of the redevelopment and how much was going to be spent on it, but is still being expected to pick up the pieces.
I agree with all that.
Nevertheless, if the museum can’t get the council loan money ASAP, even though they haven’t met their side of the deal, the whole project could be delayed by another 12 months, and the cost could go up by another $7 million.
So, there’s only one choice.
LISTEN ABOVE

Every weekday join the new voice of local issues on Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald, 9am-12pm weekdays.

It’s all about the conversation with John, as he gets right into the things that get our community talking.

If it’s news you’re after, backing John is the combined power of the Newstalk ZB and New Zealand Herald news teams. Meaning when it comes to covering breaking news – you will not beat local radio.

With two decades experience in communications based in Christchurch, John also has a deep understanding of and connections to the Christchurch and Canterbury commercial sector.

Newstalk ZB Canterbury Mornings 9am-12pm with John MacDonald on 100.1FM and iHeartRadio.

Every weekday join the new voice of local issues on Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald, 9am-12pm weekdays. It’s all about the conversation with John, as he gets right into the things that get our community talking. If it’s news you’re after, backing John is the combined power of the Newstalk ZB and New Zealand Herald news teams. Meaning when it comes to covering breaking news – you will not beat local radio. With two decades experience in communications based in Christchurch, John also has a deep understanding of and connections to the Christchurch and Canterbury commercial sector. Newstalk ZB Canterbury Mornings 9am-12pm with John MacDonald on 100.1FM and iHeartRadio.

Every weekday join the new voice of local issues on Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald, 9am-12pm weekdays.It’s all about the conversation with John, as he gets right into the things that get our community talking.

Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald

John MacDonald: I'm losing faith, but we can't abandon Canterbury Museum

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/fdfd9a97-d937-454f-8e24-b4c60006d1db/transcript