Heritage protection was a major policy platform for the new Auckland City Council. When inner-city neighbourhoods are changing rapidly, preserving heritage buildings has become more important than ever.
Wednesday, January 12th 2005, 7:04PM
by The Landlord
Urban intensification and the loss of old, lower-density homes are intentional results of the Auckland Regional Growth Strategy. Faced with inevitable population growth, the strategy partners (including Auckland City) weighed the value of maintaining today's form of city suburbs against the value of rural land on the periphery of Auckland. The preservation of rural land was judged more desirable.
When rapid urban change is inevitable, increasing the budget for heritage protection is a good call. How the Auckland City Council goes about this task is even more important. One method is to identify specific buildings and apply legal constraint to their development or alteration.
Last November Auckland City advertised for the public to submit addresses of properties they thought should be considered for special heritage protection. Anonymity has been provided to those who have submitted addresses.
Auckland City officers plan to give each listed property a "heritage score". Properties that score above a certain number will be subject to a hearing to determine if they warrant mandatory protection. Property-owners will be invited to appear at this hearing to present their interests to the council.
