Officials discussed Clutha District Council proposals for a new "Heritage Toolbox" during a recent Lawrence-Tuapeka Community Board meeting in Lawrence, and endorsed the council progressing the project, subject to a final plan.
An initial phase of the "toolbox" could produce and distribute a "heritage brochure", including information such as heritage buildings in the area; examples of successful conservation/restoration projects; inspiration from other heritage sites in the region; and guidelines regarding "do’s and don’ts" for heritage buildings.
During the meeting, council community plan project manager Mike Goldsmith suggested the brochure could be distributed to newcomers to the district, and made publicly available at libraries, museums and service centres.
Community board members endorsed Mr Goldsmith’s idea while recommending council groundwork cataloguing existing heritage buildings come first.
"There are about 62 places registered on the Heritage NZ website in Clutha, and all of those should be in the district plan. Let’s get that sorted first, then we can educate people what they can and can’t do with heritage-categorised sites, because there are already rules in place that govern this."
Mr Cotton added that Heritage NZ could also provide funding for conservation of listed properties, and might like to be involved in preparing the brochure.
He said the project team could learn from Clyde, Arrowtown and other historic towns’ experiences in establishing heritage conservation frameworks.
Ward councillor Jock Martin said the toolbox could eventually contain other elements.
"The toolbox could include access to rates relief for those restoring heritage buildings, and perhaps ‘heritage wrap’ to make them more attractive while they’re empty and awaiting refurbishment," he said.
Mr Goldsmith said initial funding for the project could be about $5000.
It was hoped the toolbox could be established by June next year.
