Asbestos has been found in three areas of the Rotorua museum.

The Rotorua Lakes Council is presently working with consultants for safe removal.

But the removal will come at some cost, estimated to between $25,000 and $40,000.

Councillor Charles Sturt says he's aware of comment in the community and letters to the local paper about the museum.

Comments were that 'things seemed to be dragging along at the museum”.

The team at the museum had to get along with different things, with asbestos a new discovery.

'That has to be dealt with.”

There was a vast house conservation plan as well as other activities.

'You just can't go in there with bulldozers and jackhammers and start doing things, so I think there needs to be a wider community appreciation of what is going on with the museum.”

He made his comments at yesterday's operations and strategy committee meeting of the Rotorua Lakes Council.

Councillors were told stripping asbestos from the museum, also known as Whare Taonga o Rotorua, needed time.

'You just can't rush in there with jackhammers – I think there needs to be a wider appreciation of what is going on with the museum,” says Charles.

In talking with mayor Steve Chadwick this week, he says the reopening of the museum is the council's priority and the council was not shifting from that view.

The museum was closed for several years ago following an earthquake. Subsequently, it has been fenced off as checks were conducted.

In a report to yesterday's meeting, it was revealed:

■ During this last period the Museum's Resource consent was issued.

■ Work is continuing with the developed design phase.

■ In the process of contracting engineers and mechanical services designs to construction phase.

■ The architects DPA and structural engineers GDC are now working through the 3D model (BIM) to mitigate conflict of design.

■ Heritage protection plan is underway for construction phase.

■ Update of the Bathhouse conservation plan is underway.

■ New HIVAC design allows for the whole building to take advantage of the geothermal bore for heating, previously only used in the southern extension.

■ Programme still on track to start enabling works in July but funding was now critical with current time line now at risk.