Canterbury Museum. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Christchurch ratepayers will have their say on whether they should stump up an additional $21 million for the redevelopment of Canterbury Museum following a budget blow-out.
The cost of the museum's redevelopment had ballooned from $205 million to $247m, so its trust board was calling on local and central government to help plug the shortfall of over $86m.
That would require $21.1m provided by Christchurch ratepayers over four years, in addition to $1.94m from the Selwyn district, $1.66m from Waimakariri and $223,540 from Hurunui.
The museum wanted central government to match the $25m of funding from local government, saying it would find the remaining $36.6m.
The request had generated controversy around the council table, but councillors voted on a solution described by some as pragmatic - consulting the public on their views.
Mayor Phil Mauger said it was the right call at a meeting on Wednesday.
"We'll go out for consultation, we'll hear - hopefully - clearly one-way or the other, yes we will or no we won't, and then we know what the residents actually want.
"We could make a decision here today which we could be very popular or very unpopular, so let's get it from the people," he said.
The council's plan meant it would not increase its levies for the coming annual plan, but if the public supported more ratepayer funding for the museum redevelopment and other councils and central government also contributed, then the council would increase its funding from next year.
Cashmere ward councillor Tim Scandrett said it was imperative neighbouring councils did their bit.
"The one thing that I will insist on is if the people come back and say 'yes, let's do it' that the museum absolutely insists... that our partners - our three fair-weather friends next door - are in on this to the maximum they are required because we cannot continue to put pressure on our ratepayers, especially when we are hearing there is a cost of living crisis. Everyone has to chip in," he said.
Waimairi ward councillor Sam MacDonald said neighbouring councils and central government needed to pay a share.
"All too often Christchurch bears the brunt of this stuff and going out to the public being really clear that we will look at doing this - they will have to pay for it if they chose to - but it's contingent on the government and other councils contributing is the really big thing here," he said.
Hornby ward councillor Mark Peters said he did not want to see the museum mothballed like Christ Church Cathedral.
Harewood ward councillor Aaron Keown said he was keen to explore the possibility of charging tourists while remaining free of charge for Cantabrians.
The plan had unanimous support.
Staff would report back to the council on the public consultation no later than 10 December.
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