Tag: Community Board

Historic Places Canterbury Public Forum Presentation To The Waipuna Hallswell Hornby Riccarton Community Board (29:03:2022)

Public Forum Presentation to the 
Waipuna Hallswell Hornby Riccarton Community Board

From Historic Places Canterbury (HPC)

Tuesday 29th March 2022

Chair, Councillors and Community Board Members,

"Thank You" for allowing me to make this Public Forum presentation.

My name is Mark Gerrard and I am Chair of the heritage NGO Historic Places Canterbury. This presentation is to inform you of Historic Places Canterbury's reservations about a report recently presented to the Council and presumably passed by the Board, on the proposed demolition of the Upper Riccarton War Memorial Library.

Our concerns about the report are the following:

HPC could not find a Heritage Assessment from the Council Heritage Team

HPC found no mention of the Council Heritage Strategy “Our Heritage Our Taonga”

No public Engagement.

Very recently, I made a personal Deputation expressing the same concerns on a report to the Waikura Linwood-Central-Heathcote Community Board on the proposed demolition of Woodham Park Caretaker's Residence. 

That Board chose to have the report lay on the table whilst:

A Heritage Assessment of the Woodham Park Caretaker's Residence was conducted and 

Public Engagement for possible future community use was carried out.

Those of you with longer memories will recall we almost lost the Yaldhurst Memorial Hall in similar circumstances. Responding to a HPC presentation, assurances were given then, there would be a change in management procedures ensuring the Heritage Team would be brought in earlier in the CCC decision making process, to advise and assess.

HPC considers the Community Boards as often, having the best appreciation of your Heritage. As the local guardians of your heritage, HPC asks that you be vigilant in this your role.

HPC recognises that often the Board can only make recommends to the full Council. HPC is of the belief that where there is a possibility Heritage may be involved, you require any report that is to be received:

Address the Council Heritage Policy “Our Heritage Our Taonga”

Ask/ensure the Council Heritage Team’s input/advice be sought

On a more broader issue HPC considers when it comes to the future of a Council owned building with a social history, the default setting should be Public Engagement to ascertain if there is a community use for it. This should occur before any decisions and reports about its future eg sale or demolition, are written. 

The Council's Heritage Strategy has been broadened and includes social history, it recognises, as we all should, the importance of "Our Heritage, Our Taonga".

Thank You for listening to this Presentation.

Mark Gerrard

Chair Historic Places Canterbury

Woodham Park Caretakers Residence: Personal Deputation to Waikura Linwood-Central-Heathcote Community Board

Deputation to Waikura Linwood-Central-Heathcote Community Board, 

Made by Mark Gerrard. Wednesday 16th March 2022.

Chair, Councillors and Community Board Members, 

Thank you for granting me this opportunity to make this Deputation on: 

Agenda Item 10. Woodham Park - Former Caretaker's Residence and Grounds

Firstly, I am making this Deputation as a Community Board Resident.

I have deep concerns with the reports recommendation and the logic and processes of the decision making.

My concerns are the following:

1. No Public Engagement with the residents/groups etc about the possible future use of this former caretaker’s residence. It has been my experience that there are groups looking for a venue. It would be good civic practice to attempt to actively engage and work with the Community before a decision to demolish is made. 

2. I can find no attached report or reference in the Report that the Council’s own Heritage Team has made an assessment. I have checked with the Heritage Team and no Council former Caretaker Residences (aside from the Botanical Gardens) have been scheduled on the CCC District Plan. Admittedly, 1940s Houses such as these are humble but we should have at least some protected before they all vanish. Buildings such as these are part of our collective Heritage. The Council should leading by example.

3. I can find no mention of the CCC Heritage Strategy "Our Heritage Our Taonga" in this report. Was the former residence assessed as possible heritage? The CCC as an owner should be proactive and be leading by example.

4. The existing building is the greenest building. I am perturbed the former residence was allowed to sit unused, and presumably allowed to deteriorate, according to the report, since 2009, and no active use sought or decision about its future made. Many residents would not consider this good practice.

I am formally requesting the Community Board, decline any decision to demolish and instead proactively seek Community Engagement and input with the aim of making the former caretaker’s residence available for community use. In addition measures will need to be implemented to stop reported antisocial behaviour.

Related to this, I request the Community Board seek a Heritage Assessment from the CCC Heritage Team as to the former caretaker’s residence’s suitability for Scheduling on the District Plan.

Finally, I note the Council has a Heritage Strategy "Our Heritage Our Taonga", could I request this Community Board send a communication that it expects in its reports, that Council Staff be proactive where potential heritage may be involved (no matter how minor) and seek the advice and involvement of the CCC Heritage Team.

Thank You for listening to this Deputation.

Mark Gerrard

The Agenda Item can be found at the following link.

https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2022/03/LCHB_20220316_AGN_7602_AT_WEB.htm