$10,000 For Council – Historic Places Trust Partnership

The council is to fund up to $10,000 towards a series of heritage assessment reports on 24 Category 2 buildings that are still unregistered with the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.

In a council partnership with the Trust the funding will meet half the cost of the $20,000 project and also meet its obligations under the Resource Management Act.

The council is required to provide for the protection of its historic heritage in its District Plan.
The council already has a heritage reserve fund in place to meet its share.

Of the 24 “deficient” (unregistered) buildings six are owned by the council.

The New Zealand Historic Places Trust was willing to compile the heritage assessment reports and this would provide “comprehensive, robust and reliable” heritage information to the council, chief executive Blair King said.

Whilst the cost of research averaged $1000 per property containing the partnership proposal at $20,000 was also of benefit, Mr King said.

The list includes the Anzac bridge and grandstand at Eketahuna, Dannevirke’s workers’ cottages, the Mangatainoka river bridge and former store, St Aidan’s Church at Alfredton and Moanaroa woolshed at Akitio.

In answer to queries from councillors Mr King explained that identification and action on “deficient” buildings was an ongoing process for the New Zealand Historic Places Trust and that many local authorities were involved in the process.