Demolition not a done deal: Fenz

Otago Daily Times

4 days ago

Leaving Lookout Point's brick fire station off a council list of protected heritage buildings does not mean demolition is imminent, Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) says.
The Dunedin City Council gave 129 heritage buildings greater protection from demolition or modification without consent under changes to the district plan.
A further 17 properties — including the Lookout Point Fire Station — that were initially proposed for protection were removed following a public hearing in May, a decision released yesterday confirmed.
Fenz South Island regional property manager Stephen Hill said he was pleased with the decision, which gave the organisation "options" for the site's future.
In May, the hearing panel of independent commissioner Rob van Voorthuysen and Crs Sophie Barker and Jim O'Malley were told the building was earthquake-prone and "significantly below" Fenz building standards.
Any work to repair it would be considerable and costly.
Fenz had detailed plans for a proposed new building to replace the station, but after the decision was released Mr Hill said demolition was not a done deal.
"[The decision] doesn't mean that we're going to demolish it, and it doesn't mean we're going to significantly change it," Mr Hill said.
"What it does is [it] let's us have the option of doing what we need to do to keep the site operational."
The Lookout Point site was in an "optimal location" to best serve Dunedin and outlying areas, he said.
The fire station was not the only significant building the decision affected.
The University of Otago Archway Lecture Theatres received protection despite opposition from the institution and council planner Peter Rawson.
Vice-chancellor Grant Robertson said the university was "very disappointed" by the decision to protect the theatres "particularly given it contradicts the recommendation of the council's own planning expert".
"We presented compelling evidence as to why the Archway Lecture Theatres should not be added to the schedule, including the fact the theatres are the poorest quality of the 19-tiered lecture theatres on campus and that there have been plans in place for several years to remove the theatres."
The panel was told since 2010 the university had considered demolishing the theatres — possibly replacing them with a formal garden space, which would enhance nearby Gothic buildings.
Mr Robertson said opposing the planned protection "did not come lightly", but the university had to ensure its facilities met the evolving needs of students, staff and community.
"We will now take time to fully consider the decision and our next steps."
University of Auckland architecture Associate Prof Julia Gatley said she commended the council for increasing the number of mid 20th-century modern buildings on its heritage schedule and was "particularly pleased" to see the Archway Lecture Theatres included.
In her role as chairwoman of heritage advocacy group Docomomo New Zealand, she made submissions in support of nine properties being added to the plan, including the Archway theatres.
"The sculptural form, textured concrete surfaces and super graphics combine to make it such a gem," she said.
"I hope [the university] leadership team are willing to rethink their current plans for this one in light of this very appropriate recognition of its heritage value."
The New Zealand Defence Force and Kāinga Ora, which both had buildings protected despite their opposition, separately said they planned to review the decision before deciding on next steps.
Submitters can appeal to the Environment Court within 30 working days of the decision.
[e-mail]