The historic Marines Hall in Titahi Bay, which has been threatened with demolition at the hands of Porirua City Council, now has more hope with the announcement of a newly established Charitable Trust to facilitate donations etc for its restoration.

In 20013 Porirua City Council initiated an emergency closure of the hall as a result of a consultants report that building deterioration was so severe that it could blow over in the next big storm. With advice of $800,00 to repair or $1M to replace, PCC initiated a proposal for demolition.

Since then independent advice has been that damage is less severe than anticipated.

A packed public meeting in April last year supported a voluntary community project to restore it.
The elected working group established a business plan and immediately received community support of over $100,000 of funds raised in pledges, sponsorship and grants.

That was done for council decision deadlines of October, then November 2017.

The business plan was for restoration at a cost of $660,00 and at no cost to the ratepayer.
At the end PCC would be gifted back an asset of $800,000.

Alternatively, if pursued by PCC, basic demolition would cost ratepayers over $200,000.
With mitigation, that would likely be over $580,000.
That is because the hall is legally protected for its Heritage & Amenity Value and would require resource consent for demolition.

Working Group chairperson Wendy Leary is enthusiastic at the community response and says “why would Council risk $580,000 on demolition when the community has offered to fix it for nothing?”