Launceston councillors will decide next week whether to abandon plans for a hydraulic orchestra pit at the Princess Theatre after its estimated cost blew out to about $3.5 million.
That is more than double the $1.6 million councillors approved for the upgrade in May.
The pit forms part of the wider Princess Theatre Redevelopment Project, but council officers are now recommending it be dropped because of rising costs, construction risks and delays.
The $1.9 million blowout follows more detailed design work, which identified additional structural and integration requirements, as well as significant contingencies for delays and other risks.
Officers say building the pit could push completion of the theatre out to April 2028, adding between two and four months to the project.
That could put the redevelopment in breach of its Growing Regions funding deed, which requires the theatre to be fully operational by February 7, 2028.
The council could lose between $2 million and $4 million in grant funding if those milestones are missed.
Further investigations also uncovered a series of construction challenges, including excavation up to two metres below the theatre floor, groundwater issues, underpinning existing walls and possible obligations under Tasmania’s Building Act.
The pit would also add about $110,000 a year in expected depreciation costs.
Launceston mayor Matthew Garwood said the council was considering the new information.
“Council is carefully considering the updated information and whether the hydraulic orchestra pit represents the best outcome for the project given the significant escalation in costs and associated risks,” he said.
“Importantly, council remains committed to improving accessibility at the Princess Theatre.”
Officers have pointed to cheaper alternatives, including a lighter manual pit, a flex-step or a ramp to improve access.
Because abandoning the hydraulic pit would reverse the council’s May decision, the move will need an absolute majority to pass.
Councillors will vote on the matter at their meeting on Thursday.
