The ABC reports that fixing what’s wrong with the Prime Minister’s residence is turning into a bigger job than planned.
The slate roof and cotton-covered electrical wiring will be replaced, asbestos will be removed, rusty plumbing fixed and better fire alarms installed.
However, the Government says its architects have done more research and inspections and now expect to face significant challenges.
The design and tender process also is not finished, so the Government will defer the renovations until the end of 2013.
The upside is they’ll not be starting work until the end of 2013, which will spare Prime Minister Gillard the indignity of a temporary residence.