The Dunedin City Council has commissioned a group of five heritage consultants to prepare a thematic heritage study to be used as the main piece of research for an eventual change to the council's district plan heritage provisions.
The study will identify important themes in the city's history and buildings from each theme that were underrepresented on the council's existing schedule of heritage buildings, council acting planning policy manager Paul Freeland said.
The study was one of the "action points" to emerge following the 2007 Heritage Strategy for Dunedin City.
Ultimately, the initiative should lead to more of the city's historic buildings, structures and archaeological sites being included on the schedule, helping ensure their protection, Mr Freeland said.
That could happen as early as the end of this year, with buildings such as the former Dandie Dinmont Hotel in Portobello Rd, otherwise known as the White House - built for William Larnach - one example of a possible candidate for additional protection, Mr Freeland said.
Any listing would require the consent of the owner, but interest-free loans and grants for restoration work were available through the Dunedin Heritage Fund, he said.
The heritage study would also see co-operation between the council and representatives from the NZHPT, who will sit alongside city councillors on a steering group formed to help drive the study.
That was despite clashes last year, which were at their worst in August when councillors criticised the "ludicrous" NZHPT plan to register Carisbrook and the Athenaeum and Mechanics Institute building, in Dunedin's Octagon, as category-one historic places.
The same month, a NZHPT prosecution of the DCC ended up in court after allegations the council breached an archaeological authority for its Wall Street development.
That led to the council being convicted and discharged on one charge.
In November, Trust Otago-Southland area manager Owen Graham accused the council - along with developers - of a "wrecking ball" approach to some of the city's oldest buildings, after plans to demolish four heritage buildings from 372-392 Princes St were revealed.
However, contacted this week, Mr Graham was full of praise for the council's new initiative, saying he looked forward to being part of it.
"This is a good way to start the year off," he said.
He hoped the study would promote a greater understanding of the breadth of heritage buildings in the city, including those with significant stories attached to them, and the importance of heritage townscapes.
"We're hoping, obviously, it enhances understanding of heritage buildings . . .This city has got some pretty neat and special stuff here," he said.
And despite last year's public clashes, Mr Freeland said the council's city planning department and NZHPT staff had maintained "a relatively positive relationship" that looked set to continue.
"We're both trying to give effect to legislation that's not always palatable . . . as far as we're concerned, this is business as usual," he said.
Crs Fliss Butcher, Dave Cull and Teresa Stevenson will represent the council on the steering group, alongside NZHPT, Southern Heritage Trust, Kai Tahu and Department of Conservation representatives.
