Dear Central Otago Council,

Under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 and the Official Information Act 1982, I request the following information regarding the rebuilding of the Roxburgh Movie Theater:

Timeframe for Construction
Please provide a detailed timeline outlining the expected start and completion dates for the rebuilding of the Roxburgh Movie Theater. This should include key milestones in the construction process.

Processes to Ensure Funds Are Spent in Roxburgh
As the asset belonged to the community, having been built prior to 1989 when the town was part of the Roxburgh Borough Council, its assets are intended for the public benefit of the people of Roxburgh—not for the use of local government officials as a personal fund for other purposes in the district.
Please outline the steps being taken to ensure that all funds allocated for the project are spent within the Roxburgh community. This includes information on how contracts will be awarded and how the local economy will benefit from the project.

Insurance Payouts
Please provide details of when the insurance payout was received for the movie theater's loss and how these funds are being allocated towards the rebuilding.

Bank Account Holding the Funds
Identify the type of account holding the funds for the rebuilding project. Are the funds set aside in a dedicated account held in trust?

Interest Earned on Funds
Please provide details of the interest rate and the current balance in the account holding the funds. Additionally, explain how the interest earned is being managed or allocated for the benefit of the rebuilding project.

Controls to Prevent Erosion of Funds
Describe the processes in place to ensure that there is no excessive or unnecessary consultation that erodes the available funds for construction. It is common for local government officials to have incentives that do not align with the rebuild, instead holding numerous public consultations to generate fees for connected individuals or for personal political gain.
Additionally, please outline how consultants and contractors are selected, and how their fees are managed to avoid personal gain that does not directly contribute to the completion of the movie theater.

Audit Firm Engaged
Provide the name of the audit firm responsible for overseeing the financial management of the project. Please include details regarding the scope and frequency of the audits, including how transparency will be ensured throughout the process.

Timeframes to Prevent Rising Construction Costs
What timeframes are in place to ensure that construction delays do not result in increased costs or a reduction in the overall quality of the rebuild? Please outline how cost escalation is being managed, including any penalties for delays or failure to meet deadlines.

Community Impact and Accountability
Finally, how is the community being kept informed of progress on the project? What mechanisms are in place to ensure transparency, accountability, and that the funds will be used effectively for the benefit of the Roxburgh community?

I look forward to your prompt response in accordance with the relevant Acts.

Yours faithfully,

Adam