Invercargill City Council (ICC) Councillor Grant Dermody has been appointed Lead Councillor for Project 1225, the museum rebuild project.

This follows the resignation of former Project lead Councillor Nigel Skelt, who resigned his ICC position on 4 May, just two weeks after his resignation as general manager of ILT Stadium Southland following a complaint from a young woman.

ICC Mayor Nobby Clark said Dermody had already proven that he was a level-headed and logical councillor.

“This [new] role will also complement his current position as Chair of Council’s Finance and Project Committee, which he has settled into well.”

Dermody said he was honoured to be given the opportunity to be Lead Councillor on such an immense project.

“It’s been great seeing all the progress going on and I am excited to be able to work alongside the Project Management Office to see the museum rebuild through.

“The need to have a museum in our city is something our community feels very strongly about and I am grateful that I have been chosen to help deliver it.”

Dermody will spend this week getting up to speed and speaking with key staff members to understand how this project will progress.

ICC Council Programme Director Lee Butcher said Dermody had come on board at a great time – we’ve just had the architectural team in town to discuss the wants and needs of the project and the experience tender is currently out to market, so there is plenty going on already.

“Work is progressing extremely well and I’m looking forward to working with Grant to get it done for everyone now and for generations to come.”

Clark is also considering Dermody’s role as a representative on the Bluff Community Board to ensure his workloads are suitable.