Actions taken to solve an age-old problem in Waihi have the support of Hauraki District Mayor John Tregidga.

The 110-year-old St James Presbyterian Church building was sold by Church Trustees on Trade Me last Thursday for $11,100.

It has not been used since 2012 when an engineer's report found it fell well short of modern earthquake safety standards. Bringing the church up to current standards is likely to be expensive.

John says politically the Council doesn't have a view on the relocation or demolition of the historic church, except to acknowledge it has been afforded a level of protection under the District Plan.

This means there are processes the new owner will need to go through before a decision can be made on whether or not protection can be removed.

'Given the potential cost of fixing the building, its sale, relocation or removal seems a sensible option. I've always been against suggestions Council or ratepayers should put money towards the restoration,” he says.

The building is listed as a Category A heritage feature by the Hauraki District Council, but it has never been owned by the Council. It is also listed as a Category 2 historic place by Heritage New Zealand.

Hauraki District Council chief executive Langley Cavers says under the District Plan resource consent is needed to relocate or demolish the building. To de-list the building from its Category 2 historic place status the owner would need to apply to Heritage New Zealand.

'Staff have explained this process to Church Trustees verbally and in writing over the last few years, but we have never received a resource consent application from them,” says Langley.

Council staff are currently attempting to contact the new owner to offer information and assistance with the application process if required.

'The new owner can apply to have the building de-listed by Heritage New Zealand, and this would be taken into account during the resource consent process, but the final decision on whether or not resource consent is granted would be made by Council.”