More than 200 people have so far had their say on the proposed extra investment in the City Block project, with 10 days left to make a submission.

Invercargill City Council is currently consulting the community about whether it should invest an additional $16 million and repurpose $5 million originally allowed for design changes for a total

investment of $46 million in the City Block project.

Strategy and Policy Manager Rhiannon Suter said she was excited by the response so far.

“We have received over 200 submissions and we’re about half way through the consultation period.

“This is an important decision for the future of the city, so make sure you take the opportunity to share your views,” Ms Suter said.

Members of the public had also taken to social media to ask questions about the proposal.

Ms Suter said a video of elected members answering many of those questions would be premiered on the Extra Money for City Block Facebook page today (Wednesday 3rd June).

“We know lots of people will have questions they want answers to so that they can make a fully informed submission. We encourage you to check the video out and the Q&A page on the website.”

Ms Suter encouraged people to have their say before submissions closed on 12 June.

“Making a submission is really easy. You can do it online, via the post, or phoning 03 211 1777.”

Visit the consultation web page for more information.

Meanwhile, Invercargill Central Ltd reports that more than 9000 square metres of buildings has come down to date, and the focus is now on preparation work to demolish the Government Life Building. The Southland Times facade is ready to be disconnected so the building behind it can be demolished.

The Esk Street Food Village is now open from Mondays to Fridays - a resource consent requirement aimed at bringing vibrancy and activity in this zone of the street.

As this work takes place, only one lane will be available to Dee Street's south-bound traffic, between Don Street and Tay Street. Public buses are now leaving from outside the Public Library and H&J Smith. Further information can be found here.

Invercargill Central Ltd has also opened an information hub in the Bank of New South Wales building at the corner of Dee and Tay streets. Members of the public are welcome to drop in and ask questions, view plans of the development, the history of the site and learn about any interesting archeological findings unearthed during the demolition.

View a computer-generated fly-through of what the new development is proposed to look like below:

View a time lapse video of the demolition progress to March 23 below: