Toitu Otago Settlers Museum. Photo: ODT
Otago Settlers Association past president Phil Dowsett addressed councillors at the 2020-21 draft annual plan hearings, and said with an upcoming focus on recovering from the impacts of Covid-19, it was important planned capital expenditure on the museum be retained.
Planned expenditure of $500,000 in 2022-23 for gallery and office furniture, as part of a 10-year refreshment, alongside $70,000 annually for acquisitions and minor capital works was necessary to maintain high standards at the museum, Mr Dowsett said.
He believed visitor numbers of around 300,000 a year before Covid-19 would return, but he asked the council to protect operational funding to ensure they did.
