Historic woolshed demolished
A historic 105-year-old woolshed near Omarama often used as a photo stop for Alps2Ocean cyclists has been demolished.
Quailburn Station, now part of the Ahuriri Conservation Park, was once part of a vast property known as Benmore Run, one of the largest properties in Otago during the 1870s.
The Department of Conservation (Doc) website says: "The station's historic woolshed, built in 1920, has regional significance for its role in high country pastoral farming and is held as a very good example of a classic high country mustering hut."
However, Doc Twizel operations manager Diane Finn said the woolshed was not able to be saved, after it was damaged in poor weather five years ago.
"For many years signage on the historic Quailburn Woolshed (built circa 1920) warned, 'Caution. Parts of the building are weak and susceptible to collapse...do not enter in strong winds or with snow on the roof'.
"In October 2020, the woolshed lost half its roof in a huge wind event. Before this the building had been sinking into the ground as untreated timber piles rotted away.
"After the roof was opened up by the storm, wind was able to get under the iron, buckling it and tearing off cladding, and it became more dangerous. The site was closed for safety in 2024 and a barrier fence was erected for over a year to prevent people from entering the building and potentially endangering themselves," she said.
"The Department of Conservation is responsible for 15,500 heritage sites across New Zealand, including historic buildings and places of significance for Māori.
"We take this responsibility seriously, and whenever we can, we preserve these sites for everyone to enjoy.
"Unfortunately, this is not always possible, and in this case the cost to repair and restore the building was more than could reasonably be justified.
"Before the Quailburn woolshed was demolished, its heritage elements were documented in detail.
"Heritage items were salvaged from the woolshed and the long-term plan is to build a shelter, incorporating those heritage items to tell the story of this site and preserve its history, while creating a resting place for the many Alps to Ocean cyclists passing through.
"Notification that a contractor would be on-site removing the woolshed was posted on DoC's website on April 30."
The woolshed was on the true left of the Ahuriri River east branch below Quailburn Saddle. It was a popular stop for cyclists on the Alps2Ocean Great Ride route.
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