$100k to move airport mural
It could cost more than $100,000 to move a historic mural from inside New Plymouth’s airport terminal to a new spot outside its $28 million replacement, councillors will be told this week.
The Kingsford Smith mural, which depicts the first passengercarrying crossing of the Tasman Sea in 1933, has hung inside Terminal One for more than 50 years.
But there are no plans to hang it inside the replacement terminal building, which is under construction.
Instead, airport company Papa Rererangi i Puketapu (PRIP) has put forward in its quarterly report a plan to display the mural, created by Don Driver in 1966, outside the new terminal, which is due to open next year.
The report, written by airport chief executive Wayne Wootton and chairman Philip CoryWright, states that the project team had a meeting with a specialist material conservator to look at options for exhibiting the work outdoors.
‘‘There is concern that the large size of the artwork, once effectively screened and erected, may make it impracticable to be displayed in the airport precinct,’’ the report, to go before the New Plymouth District Council’s performance committee tomorrow, said.
‘‘It might be difficult to merge in with the planned landscaping and could dominate sight lines, this potentially being a distraction from the visual aspect of the new terminal.’’
Councillors and the community have cried foul for months over the proposal to not include the piece inside the new terminal, which will focus on a cultural design of Puketapu hapu¯ .
The report says the cost of moving the mural to a new position outside could exceed $100,000 because of the type and size of the structure that may be required and the viewing requirements, although this will not be known until a more detailed design is developed.
‘‘There is also some concern whether the level of cost can be justified, especially as this would be an unbudgeted item against the terminal redevelopment project.’’ Further options will be explored once the team has a clearer idea on possible outdoor protection measures.
Taxi and shuttle pick-up charges have also risen from $3 to $4, and the airport has reached an agreement with Air New Zealand to increase landing charges, while it is still in discussions with Jetstar.
The terminal itself is on schedule to be completed on time – and be operational by 2020 – and within the budget of $28.7 million. The airport has been approached by a flight school, but negotiations are in the early stages.