"We are not accusing the current Council for anything, this has been a long-term difficulty the museum has faced," she said.

"We have had several amicable meetings with the general manager of the Council Michael Tolhurst and he has been very good."

A report to Council tonight says extensive renovations are needed on the site.

"We agree a business and strategic plan for the museum is important and work has to be done on the museum.

"We are prepared to close while these repairs are done," Mrs Blakesaid.

There was misguided speculation the museum would be forced to send its collection to Sydney's Powerhouse Museum but Mrs Blake said this was only local gossip.

"We are not concerned. We are happy working with the Council and would be happy to store the collection while works are being done," she said.

"This collection is owned by the Wellington Historical Society and the community of Wellington and we feel as though anything that can help us will be good."

The Council general manager and its Strategic and Planning director are proposing to set up a working party of councillors and community members who will design a strategic plan with the end game of submitting a grant application to the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney.

Council minutes indicate a Wellington Museum Strategic Plan Terms of Reference would potentially include:

o Objective of the museum;

o Potential museum curating methodology;

o Key features of the museum;

o Technology usage;

o Tourist and educational elements; and

o Museum operation from a business perspective.