Climate-safe house sale bid concerns backers

Backers of New Zealand’s first climate-safe house have raised concerns after the celebrated social housing project was quietly placed on the market earlier this month.

The first-of-its-kind transportable climate-safe eco-house was built in Dunedin last year with public and business support following a public fundraising campaign.

It was supposed to be a blueprint that could be used for social housing on private land in communities affected by climate change.

However, after a year on leased land at a flood-affected Waitati property, it is listed for sale online as a "super cute wee cottage ready for you".

Questions have been raised about where the proceeds of the sale will go as well as the communication from the Blueskin Resilient Communities Trust after the original occupant changed their mind and ended their lease agreement.

Otago Polytechnic Ltd chief executive Megan Gibbons said the polytechnic provided both financial support and staff time to the project and was concerned to learn of the impending sale.

The polytechnic agreed to support the project because it believed the climate-safe house offered significant community value, Dr Gibbons said.

It highlighted sustainability initiatives, including the importance of social housing, and served as a model for climate change adaptation.

The polytechnic would have appreciated more input and consultation on the future of the house, she said.

Since learning of the plan to sell the house, she had had "preliminary discussions" with the trust, and she expected more conversations, she said.

Control Focus chief executive James Hardisty said his company agreed to do the solar paneling for the project on the understanding the first house would lead to continued work on future eco-projects and ongoing advertising opportunities.

Yet he learned of the planned sale through a report in the Otago Daily Times.

"We never got anything, really," he said.

All Septic & Drainage Ltd owner Gary Gardiner was also disappointed with the communication and the outcome.

Dave Griffiths, of UPVC Windows, said he was not comfortable with what happened.

Blueskin Resilient Communities Trust chairman Craig Marshall said the trust was investigating "all opportunities" to make the most of the climate-safe house and meet the trust’s obligations. The trust appreciated the work others had put into the project and it would do its best to honour the commitments it made, Mr Marshall said.

The 60sqm relocatable wooden house received a $100,000 high bid at auction at the start of the month, but it was not enough for a sale to go ahead.

The real estate agent was then directed to negotiate with any interested parties.

hamish.maclean@odt.co.nz