Funding setback for aquarium

The Government has refused a request for $500,000 towards the business case for a proposed $77.5 million revamp of the National Aquarium.

Napier’s ratepayers will now have to stump up the cost.

The Napier City Council had applied for the funding to go towards its $1.45 million business case for the development.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment initially provided half the cost of the business case in 2018, when it was expected to cost $700,000.

That later blew out to $1.45m, prompting the council to seek a further $500,000 from the Provincial Growth Fund.

A council spokeswoman said the extra cost was incurred because the vision for Project Shapeshifter developed and evolved from a ‘‘local aquarium’’, to a ‘‘visionary national centre’’, focusing on education, conservation and research.

The extra costs included costs for sector engagement, iwi engagement, fundraising feasibility, engagement of architects and more, she said.

MBIE declined the council’s application last month.

In December the council submitted its detailed business case (Project Shapeshifter) to MBIE for a new $77.5 million National Aquarium that would replace the present building.

The council indicated it hoped to secure $15m – $35m of the cost from the Provincial Growth Fund.

The council said it would not be making another attempt to receive a grant from the fund.

With the future of the project uncertain, council said it would turn to public consultation within the next few months, on what should happen to the aquarium.