Review of heritage authority needs attention to detail

MEDIA RELEASE
19.07.2012

Review of heritage authority welcome, but detail needs attention

The process for identifying and managing heritage or character buildings is set to be streamlined thanks to the Government’s proposed refresh of the Historic Places Trust, according to Property Council New Zealand.

However, inconsistencies in the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Bill currently before Parliament will need to be amended to ensure further red tape is not added to the consenting process, said Property Council’s chief executive Connal Townsend.

In a submission on the Bill logged with the Local Government and Environment Select Committee today, Property Council noted the Bill has one major inconsistency as it “implies that an archaeological site within the definition of clause 6 may be above ground level”.

“It follows that buildings built before the 1900s will be subject to an added consenting process, which will likely result in delays, additional costs and high restorative building works,” said Mr Townsend. “If a building is deemed to be of significant importance by the community or the Government then it should be identified as such and listed appropriately under the regional unitary plan. It should not be a blanket policy, and needs to be amended to reflect this.

“That proviso aside, a major review of the Historic Places Trust is long overdue and Property Council supports this initiative,” said Mr Townsend.

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