Tag: Online Article

Historic Places Canterbury In The News: “Heritage advocates want more historic buildings to be protected from demolition in emergencies” (Stuff Online Article)

Heritage advocates want more historic buildings to be protected from demolition in emergencies (Stuff online article)

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/108733704/heritage-advocates-want-more-historic-buildings-to-be-protected-from-demolition-i

"Heritage advocates, Historic Places Aotearoa, want more heritage buildings to be protected from demolition in emergencies, its submission on the Building Amendment Bill says.

The bill, currently at select committee, adds emergency powers to and amends the Building Act 2004 to improve systems for managing damaged dangerous buildings in emergencies and for investigating building failures.

It protects category one buildings and wahi tupuna, places of significance to Maori, listed with Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga (HNZPT) from demolition in emergencies without ministerial approval."

"Historic Places Aotearoa, and a member organisation Historic Places Canterbury, want the protection in the bill widened to include top tier or highly significant heritage buildings scheduled in territorial authorities' district plans.' "

"(Director of policy Rebecca O'Brien) HNZPT is pleased at the provisions proposed to date and the progress they represent in providing appropriate protection for New Zealand's heritage.

However, Historic Places Aotearoa (HPA) and Historic Places Canterbury, disagree

HPA said too often demolition was seen as the only solution to public protection after a disaster.

It was the territorial authorities' heritage schedules that had standing under the Resource Management Act.

The bill's proposals might set aside RMA processes in emergencies, so it was essential the schedules were considered in the bill's proposals, HPA argued."

 

Historic Places Canterbury In the Press: “Bringing life back into quake-damaged heritage buildings a tough task”- The Press Online

Bringing life back into quake-damaged heritage buildings a tough task- the Press Online.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/108195217/bringing-life-back-into-quakedamaged-heritage-buildings-a-tough-task

"...Historic Places Canterbury chairman Mark Gerrard believes the council is doing a good job with its damaged heritage, and is being "very thorough" with its tendering process.

He says the council benefits by having some "really good staff" who listen to the community and take pride in the buildings.

Some are of the sites are harder than others to find a use for, and some are better suited to community rather than commercial use, Gerrard says.

"They are very very special buildings. We are very happy that they are safe and they are going to be restored - the council is weighing up what is best for them and finding an appropriate use.

"Their value is not just the architecture, each one has its own individual stories, they are a reminder of people who have come before us," says Gerrard.

He believes Harry Ell, the naturalist whose vision established the Sign of the Takahe and Sign of the Kiwi as Port Hills rest stops, would approve of today's walkers and cyclists enjoying hospitality in the buildings.

"People need to be able to see them. They are our buildings, they are our gems, our treasures."

Historic Places Canterbury In the Press :” Public access to two of Christchurch’s treasured heritage buildings restricted” The Press Online

Public access to two of Christchurch's treasured heritage buildings restricted The Press Online
https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/108075719/public-access-to-two-of-christchurchs-treasured-heritage-buildings-restricted

"... Christchurch Civic Trust chairman Chris Kissling said it was a "great shame" commercial interests were restricting public access.

"When the public has been asked for donations or put money into these buildings, to close it off for all but paid activity seems wrong."

Historic Places Canterbury chairman Mark Gerrard said Mona Vale was one of the city's great homesteads and it should be available to the public as much as possible.

The pair were also concerned the Sign of the Takahe had remained closed since its repair was completed in May 2017.

Kissling said buildings needed to be occupied because if they stood idle for too long they would deteriorate.

"These buildings hold so many memories for so many people. I would hate to see it kept standing idle much longer. It needs to be used."

“Canterbury Provincial Chambers to remain mothballed for 11 years” The Press Online (190218)

Canterbury Provincial Chambers to remain mothballed for 11 years The Press Online.

" ... Historic Places Trust Canterbury chairman Mark Gerrard believed the council should ask the Government to help fund the cost of restoring the chambers because of its national and international significance. ...

https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/101559051/Canterbury-Provincial-Chambers-to-remain-mothballed-for-11-years

“Heritage advocate accuses council of being ‘overly secretive’ as they discuss Christchurch historic buildings in secret” The Press Online Article (010218)

Heritage advocate accuses council of being 'overly secretive' as they discuss Christchurch historic buildings in secret The Press online:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/101072075/heritage-advocate-accuses-council-of-being-overly-secretive-as-they-discuss-christchurch-historic-buildings-in-secret

"A heritage advocate is accusing Christchurch City Council of being "overly secretive" regarding the future of the city's heritage buildings.

Historic Places Canterbury chairman Mark Gerrard has been unable to find out any information on the council's plans for the future of heritage buildings, ..."

“Ōamaru courthouse to reopen after years of facing closure” RNZ Online News

"Ōamaru courthouse to reopen after years of facing closure" RNZ  News Online.

"The 135-year-old courthouse was closed in December 2011 after being deemed earthquake-prone.

The future of the courthouse looked dire when a government engineering report found strengthening could cost upwards of $4 million. ...

" ... Initially the figure of $4m-6m was going to make it very difficult to retain the court. Under those numbers, it was probably going to be a case of 'Well, we'll just shut it down.' "

But instead of feeling defeated, Mr (Bill) Dean did his own research - employing an engineer to assess the courthouse then asking for a price on the proposed repairs.
The cost was closer to $350,000 - and the assessment found the building was unlikely to collapse in an earthquake and did not need to be closed in the first place.
But Mr Dean said it took several years for the paperwork to be accepted and remedial work to be completed. ...

https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/367860/oamaru-courthouse-to-reopen-after-years-of-facing-closure

 

“Saving heritage buildings can be a win for owners and the public alike” Dr Anna Crighton Op-Ed Published In The Press

The text of the “Saving heritage buildings can be a win for owners and the public alike” opinion piece published by the Press can be found at the following link:

“Saving heritage buildings can be a win for owners and the public alike” Text Of Dr. Anna Crighton Opinion Piece Published In The Press And Online

 

Harley Chambers / Worcester Chambers: The Resource Consent Application

Owners of historic Christchurch building seek demolition consent for hotel project  The Press Online;
https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/103018473/owners-of-historic-christchurch-building-seek-demolition-consent-for-hotel-project

Historic Places Canterbury Deputy Chair Ross Gary quoted in the following Press Online articles:

Hotel developer battles to demolish "decaying, doomed, eyesore" heritage building  The Press Online.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/105336927/hotel-developer-battles-to-demolish-decaying-doomed-eyesore-heritage-building

"Objector Ross Gray, acting chair of the Civic Trust and deputy chair of Historic Places Canterbury, said the buildings concerned were at the heart of an extremely sensitive heritage precinct and any further loss of heritage buildings in the area was unthinkable."

Earthquake Act could help demolish Christchurch heritage buildings on luxury hotel site.The Press Online.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/105536288/earthquake-act-could-help-demolish-christchurch-heritage-buildings-to-allow-luxury-hotel

"Ross Gray, acting chair of the Civic Trust and deputy chair of Historic Places Canterbury, said he would be appalled if the GCRA was applied in this case.

About 250 Christchurch heritage buildings have been lost as a result of the earthquakes, those remaining deserved protection, Gray said, and he was surprised Heritage New Zealand had not opposed demolition of the two chambers. ..."

 

“Saving heritage buildings can be a win for owners and the public alike” Text Of Dr. Anna Crighton Opinion Piece Published In The Press And Online

Dr Anna Crighton Chair of the Christchurch Heritage Trust and Founding President of Historic Places Aotearoa has generously provided the text for the Op-Ed that appeared in the Press print and online. (18th October 2017)

Link to Press online article: https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/business/the-rebuild/97959739/saving-heritage-buildings-can-be-a-win-for-owners-and-the-public-alike

The text is as follows:

"Saving heritage buildings can be a win for owners and the public alike"

The imperative for the rescue of a historic building is reliant on one significant aspect – a willing owner.   Despite the destruction of the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes followed by CERA’s ‘scorched earth’ policy, there were determined and diligent building owners who successfully proceeded with their restoration plans despite the government’s blue print parameters. It is fortunate that some of the most noteworthy heritage buildings in the central city had visionary leaders who saw the benefits in repairing their buildings during the recovery period.  The Arts Centre of Christchurch, Christ’s College, the Heritage Hotel (Old Government Buildings), the Canterbury Club, Knox Church and the Isaac Theatre Royal to name a few. The Press stated in its Editorial of 21 February 2015 ‘The privately-funded labour of love that has returned the Isaac Theatre Royal to us in this past year has done more for central city vibrancy, so far, than has come out of the blueprint’. (more…)

Rose Historic Chapel Re-Opens

Quake-hit historic Rose Chapel in Christchurch reopens after missing big birthday The Press Online
https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/105719015/quakehit-historic-rose-chapel-in-christchurch-reopens-after-missing-big-birthday

Rose Historic Chapel : https://www.rosehistoricchapel.co.nz/

The Rose Historic Chapel will be open for the public to view this Sunday (29th July) from 2pm to 4 pm.