council
The Wachner clock will have an identify of its own in a new location, but it probably won’t be in Wachner place.
The Infrastructure and Growth Committee has recommended that council shelf the $1.37 million project, due to the current economic climate.
The public also decided last week in a whatsoninvers.nz poll that they weren’t so keen on the clock tower anymore. Ratepayers were asked Do you want a new clock tower for Invercargill? LIKE = Yes ANGRY = No. Out of 605 votes 505 = NO, 95 = Yes.
Council previously committed $4.024 million to work in Esk Street West as part of the City Streets Upgrade Programme.
Following public consultation, in November 2023 council approved changes to the Wachner Place and Esk Street West areas, allowing one-way access through Wachner Place from Dee Street to Esk Street West for tour buses.
As part of the decision, council also noted a preference to retain the clock, and in July 2025 confirmed to proceed with the project - which was then estimated to be $1.9 million.
The clock mechanism has already been restored, but installation, connections to the bells and clock faces, and future-proofing of the timekeeping system still need completion once a cladding design is confirmed.
Cr Darren Ludlow noted that many of the original time pieces around the city, such as the Troopers Memorial and above the old H&J’s building had vanished, and questioned the importance of a clock in the city.
“It’s a thing of comfort but an expensive comfort and there are other ways to incorporate that into the city.”
He recommended postponing the project and finding another space for it, and Cr Grant Dermody agreed, saying things had moved on since the project was first started, and the economic environment had changed as well.
Other clocks that are no more - when council refurbished Troopers Memorial the clocks weren't put back, and H&J Smiths clock has been dark for a while now. Photo: whatsoninvers.nz
Mayor Tom Campbell said the community had made it clear that council had to absolutely minimise discretionary spending.
The committee agreed to end the clock reinstatement project, seeking alternative options for its relocation.
“The Wachner clock will have an identity of its own, potentially in a second location of its own,” Cr Ludlow said.