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Council funds for heritage buildings' seismic strengthening
19 November 2015
Heritage buildings get funding from Council for seismic strengthening
Ten heritage building owners will benefit from the latest round of Wellington City Council’s Built Heritage Incentive fund after their applications were approved today.
The Council’s Transport and Urban Development Committee approved the funding towards seismic strengthening work and conservation of the ten buildings around the capital.
This year the Built Heritage Incentive Fund was increased to $3 million to be distributed over three years toward conserving, restoring, protecting and caring for the heritage-listed buildings in the District Plan. It is one of several Council initiatives to assist building owners to seismically strengthen their buildings in the capital.
Buildings benefitting from the fund include St Mary of the Angels on Boulcott Street, the Art Deco Hotel St George on Willis Street, and several properties along Cuba Street.
| Project | Amount |
| St Mary of the Angels, 17 Boulcott Street – seismic strengthening | $400,000 |
| 216 Cuba Street – seismic strengthening and conservation | $60,000 |
| Manthel Motors Building, 186 Wakefield Street – seismic strengthening and façade retention | $50,000 |
| Hotel St George – seismic engineering design | $50,000 |
| 32 Cuba Street – exterior repair | $30,000 |
| 136 Riddiford Street – seismic strengthening and conservation | $30,000 |
| 260 Riddiford Street – repair and reclad heritage building | $20,000 |
| 124 Vivian Street – seismic strengthening detailed design | $15,000 |
| Inverleith Apartments, 306 Oriental Bay – seismic strengthening | $10,000 |
| 287 Cuba Street – seismic strengthening detailed design and conservation plan | $10,000 |
| Total | $675,000 |
Councillor Andy Foster, the Council’s Transport and Urban Development Chairperson, says, “We contribute to these projects as they contribute to our sense of place and identity, and this is a key reason why protecting heritage is important to us.
“We have 800 heritage-listed buildings in the capital, and for the public good we put some limitations on their modification and demolition. One way we recognise this is through our heritage fund contributions,” adds Cr Foster.
Councillor Iona Pannett says “the Council is working hard to maintain and earthquake strengthen heritage buildings in Wellington as they add to the city’s character and boost the economy from a tourism and sustainability perspective.
“It is fantastic to see so many building owners strengthening their buildings. Council was particularly pleased to see the progress that is being made on St Mary’s Church. Councillors decision to increase funding for this significant building to $400,000 means that this building will be able to be used for all Wellingtonians for generations to come,” says Cr Pannett. “This is the biggest Built Heritage Incentive Fund grant we’ve ever made,” she adds.
The next round of applications is now open and will close on 10 February 2016.
Most of the buildings that received funding from the Council’s Built Heritage Incentive Fund are well recognised around Wellington.
ENDS
Relevant links:
Built Heritage Incentive Fund
Earthquake-prone buildings policy
Listed heritage buildings
Rates incentives
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