AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL

MEDIA RELEASE

2 April 2007

Public nominations result in heritage protection

The Auckland City Council’s heritage team is continuing to investigate and assess buildings nominated by the public as worthy of heritage protection.

In late 2004, the council asked the public to nominate buildings and sites in the isthmus for possible scheduling as protected heritage items in the district plan.

More than 1195 nominations were received, naming more than 900 items. The council has almost completed preliminary investigations of all these items.

Using a priority system based on the amount of information provided, staff have undertaken detailed research and fully assessed about 430 of these 900 items.

This has resulted in 33 items being publicly notified for heritage protection to date as part of proposed plan changes.

The chairperson of the Environment Heritage and Urban Form Committee, Councillor Christine Caughey, says the process has proved fruitful.

“We’re really thrilled that people have brought these buildings to our attention so that we can act to ensure that, where appropriate, they are protected for future generations to enjoy,” Ms Caughey says.

“It’s important to give Aucklanders an opportunity to have a say in what buildings they value from our city’s past and to take steps to protect these values through the district plan.”

Some of the buildings suggested for protection were already scheduled under the council’s district plan.

Ms Caughey says others did not make the grade for protection, but it was important for them to be assessed so that this determination could be made.

“Every building is thoroughly researched and assessed to ensure that it meets the criteria necessary for protection.

“Not all buildings nominated fit the criteria, but some of those that do are real treasures and I’d like to say thank you to those who nominated these buildings because they have played a real part in ensuring their preservation.”

Some of the buildings which have been publicly notified for heritage protection as a result of the nomination process include:

The Swan Hotel (Strand Tavern), Parnell

Cucksey’s Building, Mt Eden

St Aidan’s Church, Remuera

St Joseph’s Catholic Church and Bell Tower, Grey Lynn

2 Castle Drive, Epsom.

The council’s heritage team aims to have assessed a further 160 buildings before the end of the financial year.

Visit www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/heritage for further information.

ENDS

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