The council's operations director Matt O'Rourke said demolition of the rear of the McDermott Centre had been largely completed. The work will make way for construction of the $18.95 million Performing Arts Centre by Zauner Constructions.

Archaeologist Wendy Thorpe has already completed excavations at the site associated with the sewer's relocation and in a car park. Now she has turned her attention to underneath the recently demolished section.

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She will then submit a report to the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) on her findings as part of consent conditions.

"Indications thus far are that there's nothing of concern there," Mr O'Rourke said.

This was based on "thorough" historical investigations.

He hoped the third archaeology report would be completed by the end of October.

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If cleared by OEH a modified development application will be submitted, reflecting dimensional changes recently endorsed by councillors. One of these was the fly tower, which added $450,000 to the cost.

Then the council will apply for a construction certificate for foundation and early works, which Mr O'Rourke expected would be finished by late November. Power relocation will be completed at the same time. It will clear the way for Zauner Constructions to start work by the end of the year.

A report to councillors stated that $1.7m had been spent to date.

The Centre is forecast to be completed by February, 2021.

Meantime, another major project, the Rocky Hill Museum extension, is well underway. Van Mal Group is completing the $2.5m work which will vastly increase exhibition space.

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The project is being jointly funded by the council and the federal government, through the Building Better Regins Fund.

The roof slab, ground floor slab and upper columns were completed in August, a report to councillors stated. This month, the internal fit-out and external ramps and footpaths were due to commence.

A total $1,416,124 of the budget has been spent to date. Construction is expected to start in November.

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