Hokitika's landmark Carnegie Gallery has been closed until further notice following a damning seismic report.
The 108-year-old front section of the Hokitika Museum has been found to meet just 12 per cent of the national building standard.
The Westland District Council has estimated it could cost between $250,000 and $300,000 to bring it up to the minimum 34 per cent.
Acting council chief executive Vivek Goel yesterday said the findings of the report had come as a "surprise" but in the interests of public safety, the council had restricted access to the building as of yesterday morning. It was cordoned off yesterday.
Mr Goel said staff would still be employed and would work out of the rear part of the museum which was not a risk. That part of the building, built in 1973, was the museum until the Carnegie Gallery was shifted in a heritage project in 1998.