Takaka Grandstand supporters welcome the opportunity to work constructively with Tasman District Council
3 July 2017 Media Release
Golden Bay Community Grand Stand Trust (GBCGST)
Tasman District Council (TDC) CEO Lindsay McKenzie has expressed a desire to work constructively with the Takaka
grandstand supporters regardless of the outcome of the Environment Court hearing, which last week found in favour of the
council. He has said TDC will consider any feasible proposal, with the need for on-site parking to meet existing
building consent requirements the reason put forward in support of the removal of the 118 year old grandstand, which has
been used continuously since it was built in 1899.
The GBCGST are looking forward to meeting with TDC and reaching a common-sense solution before the appeal period has
lapsed, thus avoiding more unnecessary legal costs to both parties. Common sense has not prevailed thus far, however,
and the GBCGST is considering appealing on legal grounds. The Environment Court deemed the issue of adequate
consultation was not covered by the Heritage NZ Act, and McKenzie himself stated that had TDC become aware earlier of
the heritage issues which have been raised it would have taken a more detailed appraisal. Now is the time for such an
appraisal – while the grandstand still stands. The General Manager, Central, of Heritage New Zealand expressed the view
that the grandstand should have been included in the council’s schedule of heritage buildings. The fact that it was not
on the schedule meant that the council was not required to apply for a Resource Consent to demolish it; as a result
there was no formal platform for submissions regarding its demolition to be heard.
GBCGST and other parties to the original appeal - amongst them the Golden Bay A Association - represent the views of 900+ petitioners from the GB community who have indicated they wish the grandstand
to remain.
The grandstand supporters have prepared a parking design that could be actioned with a $290 building consent amendment
fee, and which requires no immediate expenditure on further development or demolition.
The new facility could then receive a Code Compliance Certificate and function as planned. In the meantime the old
squash courts and 1968 add-on could be demolished, and the grandstand repainted to complement its new big-little brother
visually as well as functionally.
The new facility does not have elevated covered seating for 250+ people, despite the Golden Bay A Association actively supporting the new facility on the written understanding that the new amenities would be of the
same standard, if not better.