Asbestos is found at Timaru’s Theatre Royal while the building undergoes a multimillion-dollar redevelopment, according to reporting by the Otago Daily Times. The discovery is made during the redevelopment process, which is described as an ongoing project to refurbish the theatre. The redevelopment project director says there is no risk to the public from the asbestos that has been located. The outlets provide reassurance that the asbestos does not pose a danger to theatre-goers and the wider community at this stage, while work continues at the site. The reporting focuses on the presence of asbestos in the theatre and the public-safety assessment from project leadership, rather than detailing the extent of the material or specific remediation steps. The information is presented as an update to the redevelopment project, indicating that the discovery is being managed as part of the ongoing works.