Letters: Museum closure raises questions

Photo/File

Rotorua residents will be saddened by the Rotorua Museum calamity which will see it remain closed for the foreseeable future.

Not only is it recognised as one of the country's leading regional museums but it is surely the most photographed, lying as it does in the picturesque Government Gardens.

The whole depressing scenario brings into question the diligence of past Rotorua councils. Multi-millions of dollars were raised and spent on extensions to facilitate more exhibition space.

Before this was undertaken it should have been imperative that the structural integrity of the existing heart or core of the museum be examined. If tests were undertaken prior to the new work beginning they clearly weren't exhaustive enough.

Remember the earthquake which triggered the current concerns was centred hundreds of kilometres away and wasn't even felt by many in Rotorua.

Many Rotorua businesses are collectively required to spend millions on strengthening their buildings to enable them to continue operating. Was the same level of scrutiny applied to the museum?

SIMON EARLE
Rotorua

Repair costs first
I am writing in regard to our precious museum that is currently closed to everyone indefinitely due to earthquake damage, and the unknown cost to repair this iconic and historical building.

We have seen many articles in the Rotorua Daily Post about the museum and the loss of income to our Rotorua Lakes Council from the many visitors that pay to enter, plus the loss of income from the cafe there as well.

I note that all ratepayers are to pay a one-off payment $14.40 towards the repair work to be done, but to me it would make more sense to get a costing of how much it will cost first to do the repairs and then ask ratepayers to dub in.

Currently it appears the council are just making a stab in the dark. I gather since the ratepayers pay towards the upkeep of the museum of which is partly owned by us ratepayers, that the RLC's insurance cover of this building on our behalf was adequate, like we insure our own homes against these perils like earthquakes, but it appears that it is not, when the council is asking us to fork out over and above our rates which we do not know if it will ever be enough.

We do not hear much if anything about the insurance cover and how much this building was covered for, and what their payout will be.

I ask that the RLC be more transparent to the ratepayers so that we know what the museum was covered for, how much the repairs are going to cost and how they arrived at a figure of $14.40 to help with repairs when we have heard nothing about the total cost for the repairs and what the insurance payout will be.

COLIN L DEANS
Rotorua