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Newcastle MP Tim Owen, is sending a stark message to council to unify on the art gallery redevelopment proposal or there will be no money from the state government.
Earlier this week lord mayor Jeff McCloy resigned from a council committee overseeing the project, saying it is irresponsible to pursue the $21 million gallery upgrade.
The Chair of the gallery control group, Councillor Tim Crackenthorp says he is still determined to push for a $7 million contribution from the Premier.
But Mr Owen says that will not happen unless council gets its act together.
"The Premier has made it very clear to me and I have made it very clear to the Newcastle city council, come with one voice about a proposal or not and then we will consider it," he said.
"But don't come to us again with something that is not costed and is not funded."
Mr Owen says council must decide whether it can afford the upgrade as its internal debate continues to weigh down the proposal.
He says he cannot approach the Premier while council is still in disarray about the issue.
"I can only sit back and watch what goes on," he said.
"One half of the council as well as all the council officers who are responsible for the financial situation saying we cannot afford any major infrastructure development of this nature because of our financial situation.
"Then again on the other side of the coin, we've got a project control group who are looking after the art gallery saying it's not a problem and we can afford to do this."
Topics: library-museum-and-gallery, local-government, state-parliament, newcastle-2300
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