ALBURY Council has confirmed its art gallery redevelopment is running both over-budget and over-time.
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Already $324,000 has been spent from a 5 per cent contingency set aside to cater for cost overruns.
The project was due for completion in June but the council is now expecting the gallery to re-open in late July.
The redevelopment of the former town hall building and Burrows House have been a challenge with additional costs for electrical, foundation and roof sheeting installations and replacements.
The unexpected additional works have added extra time to the project as well as increased costs.
There is no doubt the building taking shape fronting Dean Street promises to be spectacular and a drawcard for the city.
The questions are whether there will be acceptance of the cost and time overruns among ratepayers, and if the council can balance the additional costs by gaining unbudgeted grants, making some cost savings and perhaps encouraging the NSW government to finally come to the party on its financial share.
Strangely enough, neither the member for Albury nor his Labor opponent are saying much on the subject.