TOWN HALL ALL TOO FAR

Michael from Trentham

The "old" Wellington town hall needs another injection of cash surpassing $150 million in order for its restoration and earthquake reinforcing to be completed. And we know this won't be the last big bill payable concerning this building.

It's simply not worth the money already spent, already committed and already signalled as being required "over and above".

The town hall needs private funding and this will occur if a Kirkcaldie & Stains-type resolution is made. Ditch the current plans but complete the restoration of the "frontage" of the building and allow for construction of a tower block behind the facade. It might be that that a private developer will allow for a couple of things that have been earmarked for a reconstructed town hall.

What Wellington city has in historical buildings and in a multitude of amenities. the region has too. So we are all affected by what goes on, what goes up and what goes down in Wellington.

In these times of great water and sewerage reticulation issues it is better that local councils concentrate primarily on infrastructure which is their core business.