Island Bay Village Heritage Area confirmed

Cr Celia Wade-Brown is delighted that the Island Bay Village Shops have had their significance confirmed by Council's decision on Friday 27th June.

"I raised the importance of this charming group of bu
ilding many times at committee meetings. Eventually we allocated time and resources for our heritage experts to examine them and they also concluded this little section of history had a character worth preserving." says Ms Wade-Brown.

The atmosphere in Island Bay makes it a very attractive community suburb. The sense of continuity from the development of the village in the early 1900s when the trams first ran to Island Bay. The buildings remaining in the village are fine examples of early commercial architecture and provide vivid memories for many older residents.

The Council’s built heritage policy aims to achieve the vision that:

Wellington is a creative and memorable city that celebrates its past through the
recognition, protection, conservation and use of its built heritage for the benefit of the
community and visitors, now and for future generations.

"Heritage is important in our daily lives. Meeting friends, having coffee and shopping in Wellington should be a chance to enjoy a special sense of place. I hate to feel I could be anywhere in the world in an anonymous mall. Island Bay's character is fiercely loved with good reason." says Celia Wade-Brown.

While a few owners feel that public good has been put ahead of private rights, businesses have successfully operated out of these premises since the early 1900s. Island Bay Butchers has always been a butchery, for example. If a couple of buildings changed dramatically, this would spoil the little group for everyone else including the remaining owners.

"I'm very pleased that this year's annual plan also provides for resource consent relief for owners of heritage buildings so they don't bear the burden alone. Heritage grants are also available and the Clarkes Building has already been done up in fine original style!"

Wellington City Councillor
Environment Portfolio Leader

ENDS

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