The two brick chimneys on the historic Clyde Railway Station should be removed rather than strengthened at a cost of about $46,000, a Vincent Community Board member said this week.
The board was considering a report on the restoration of the 107-year-old building and criteria for its future use.
The report, by Central Otago District Council property and facilities officer Tara Bates, said funding had been sourced for the $90,000 needed for urgent repairs.
The Clyde Railway Station Steering Committee, Central Lakes Trust, Lotteries Commission and Promote Dunstan had all contributed to the repair fund.
Ms Bates said the station was registered as a category 2 historic place by Heritage New Zealand and was also listed as a heritage building in the district plan.
A conservation plan for the station prepared by Jackie Gillies and associates in 2010 said the building had high regional and national significance because of its authenticity, as it remained on its original site, had few modifications and was a lasting element of the Otago Central railway.
The proposal was to have commercial and community activities operating side by side in the building.
Registrations of interest would be sought soon from prospective tenants, Ms Bates said.
She said the station had been identified as an earthquake-prone building because of the two unreinforced brick chimneys.
Under the earthquake-prone buildings Bill being promoted through Parliament, it was likely the time frame for rectifying earthquake-prone buildings would be within 15 years from the date of the final legislation. The ''rough order cost'' to strengthen the two chimneys was about $46,000, she said, but more robust cost estimates could be sought. Vincent board member Barry Hambleton said the two chimneys could be removed, rather than strengthened at such a cost.
The station should be the ''hub'' of the Otago Central Rail Trail, he said.
''Let's make it a hive of activity. We can't have too many rules and regulations [for the tenure of the building] to start with.
''We need to get people in. If we're too restrictive, it will be a white elephant.''
Ms Bates said the building was classified as historically significant, so the chimneys were included in that overall classification.
The board decided on criteria for future use of the building. Any activities should be sympathetic to the site, should not detract from the historic fabric of the building, and should strengthen the connection between the rail trail and Clyde, they said.
As well, the building use should generate an income, and include a mix of commercial and community activities.
The board hoped to negotiate commercial leases by the end of this year or early next year.
