Hard questions over Historic Village

A building at Tauranga's Historic Village has deteriorated so badly that tenants are being restricted over where they can go.

The fire risk at one tenanted building in particular has seen the mezzanine floor closed off and tenants denied access, says the council's manager for community development, Meagan Holmes.


A floor has been closed in a building at Tauranga's Historic Village.

The news emerged in a reply to a question from councillor Catherine Stewart in a council meeting. Catherine asked about 'hundreds of thousands of dollars” that needs to be spent to fix issues revealed by a recent survey of the village.

Seven of the village's many buildings were surveyed. Two of them - Detour Theatre and The Incubator - are considered places of assembly and are also considered a high risk.

'As a result of that, two of those buildings have been identified as having significant issues,” says Meagan. 'We have mitigated immediate risks and we're working through what the potential solutions are.

'They both have quite simple fixes that don't cost a lot of money, but there's some work to do with tenants.”

If work is done to allow tenants to continue to use their mezzanine floor, she agreed it could be costly.

'The recommendation is we remove the stairwell and no one has access to that part of their building,” says Meagan. 'We are working very closely with the tenant to try and find a solution that gives them some other space.”

She would not identify the tenant in the public meeting because of privacy issues.

A building review was carried out in 2014 and a work plan is in place. Work on priority areas will be implemented within existing budgets this financial year. Provision has been made in the Long Term Plan for the remaining, identified remedial work.

Councillors will be advised if any significant costs or level of service changes come to light, while elected members will be advised of this prior to determining an appropriate response.

A key consideration regarding the future of the Village is the amount of funding required for maintenance and seismic strengthening.

The full extent of the likely costs need to be understood to help determine future options.

Building assessment work will be undertaken this year, to be discussed as part of the 2016/17 annual plan process.

Catherine says she's asked CEO Garry Poole for an idea of the costs of obtaining the report and also the extent and purpose of the report.

'When you are dealing with older historic buildings I'm sure they are treated differently under the Building Act than modern ones,” says Catherine.

'We've got an acting manager down there who's got a reasonable understating of the buildings, having been down there a few years.”

An option in the agenda is for the council to decide whether to invest or divest on the strength of the information in the reports, she adds.

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21 comments

Overit

Posted on 03-02-2015 08:34 | By overit

I am very sad to hear this. I love the Village and I hope there is a way forward. Can the Council pay the men who are qualified from the Mens Shed to fix these problems(that's if the the men are interested of course).


SAD

Posted on 03-02-2015 08:47 | By tabatha

Well done Catherine, Noel Nicholls who had the dream for the village would feel very annoyed at what has taken place. If the person/s are still a live who shafted him and Archie Pemberton (he was a builder as well as 2IC) should be hanging their head/s in shame. The village was a big draw card for Tauranga and by now the village would have been self sufficient and over Christmas so busy that it would not be funny. The loss of the train around the outside was also another down fall. Some people who helped pull the plug should now be saying oops time I got out of Tauranga or offering free time to rectify the problems. it is people like Catherine who Tauranga needs to keep it vibrant.


Rents should cover costs

Posted on 03-02-2015 09:55 | By Annalist

Isn't the idea that the low rents at the Village at least cover the costs of maintaining the buildings and the admin of the place? It shouldn't make a profit but it shouldn't be a cost to ratepayers either.


Sends a shiver up my spine

Posted on 03-02-2015 10:24 | By Murray.Guy

There is NO single community asset that contributes more to the disadvantaged, those in need of support OR costs ratepayers less, than the Historic Village in 17th Avenue yet there are those within the TCC organisation, elected members and in the community, who seek to undermine. Not one dollar of ratepayer subsidy goes into the Village, with tenants meeting all costs at commercial rates. Frankly, a disgrace. The Historic Village is home to much of our cities past, home to many community support agencies, many in the arts and craft sector, the radio station and mixed retail - all pay commercial rates. Watch this space as 'a mould type response' begins to unravel and the Village, it's tenants and immeasurable contribution to our community is put at risk.


@tabatha about Cr Catherine

Posted on 03-02-2015 10:40 | By BullShtAlert

All Cr Catherine Stewart has done is ask about the hundreds of thousands of dollars needed to maintain the village. Where is her record on voting for money for the Village, or for that matter anything in Tauranga? Isn't she one of the penny-pinching no spenders? As for living in the past, times have changed and it is the people of Tauranga who by not supporting the Village have let it become a place which is a bit old hat now. The reality is that to keep the Village in fantastic condition will costs hundreds of thousands of ratepayers dollars. Will Cr Stewart move that??? Hmmm.


The rot has set in

Posted on 03-02-2015 12:56 | By The author of this comment has been removed.

Sadly another council building where the rot has set in. When does this stop? Probably when my wallet has been emptied.


Shame

Posted on 03-02-2015 13:01 | By Gaylia

It is very sad to see how the Historic Museum has been let to get into such a state of disrepair. Wandering around over Christmas it was like a ghost town, very little to see or do. Thankfully there was some music playing courtesy of the Village Radio. I'm not sure of a solution but it would be nice to think that this "asset" could be revitalized and become part of the Tauranga community for events etc.


Rastus

Posted on 03-02-2015 13:03 | By rastus

Well said Tabatha - A real shame on those involved in the persecution of those men and their supporters - and for what one may ask!


Hard questions for Murray Guy

Posted on 03-02-2015 15:05 | By Councillorwatch

When you were a councillor how much money did you ever move be given to the Historic Village from Council (ratepayers) funds? Is it any wonder that the village is now in a sad state? I think that council will need to put ratepayers money into it if it is to regain its former splendour. Now that you're running for election again, how much ratepayer subsidy do you suggest be used for the Village? As much as "injected" into Baypark or used to buy a Speedway?


@BullShtAlert

Posted on 03-02-2015 16:34 | By Colleen Spiro

Your name says it all really....what the hell do you know what Catherine has done for the village....Been to see her lately or have you contributed anything of value to the village in your negative life.


@BullShtAlert

Posted on 03-02-2015 17:51 | By tabatha

When the rug was pulled Catherine was not involved on Council. I believe she trying to find a way forward. As for living in the past our great grand children need to know how their rellies had to live. My own children, adults now, use to love to see the live days at the museum. Noel's aim was for it to be the Museum for Tauranga and a lot of the material in storage came from donations, my own mothers 1900's dancing clothes were sent there. Lost or perished. Perhaps you will also say let us get rid of some of the other happenings, like ANZAC day. No way we need memories for the future to remind us and future generations what happened.


Yes Murray

Posted on 03-02-2015 17:58 | By Bill Gibson-Patmore

I endorse what Murray Guy has written. There has been, over many years, an enormous amount of support and contribution - money, materials, labour, and in-kind - to establish and maintain this facility. Thousands of Tauranga Folk contributed to the establishment of such a fine facility, and once vested in the Council it has been TCC's responsibility to adequately fund and operate it. IF Council has deferred that obligation for "a few years" then that's their problem, but there's no justification for downscaling operations now. Mention has been made of Noel Nicholls (one of Tauranga's greatest contributors) who was the energy behind the Historic Village..... Let's also remember and respect the hundreds of volunteer labourers and craftsmen. There is a legacy which we have a responsibility to maintain. Slack management by TCC in recent years is not a reason to walk away from our citizen-obligation. Bill Gibson-Patmore


Hope is not Lost

Posted on 03-02-2015 18:09 | By Corvid

Watch this space and support the Village. it has huge potential! We need to move away from the past and into the future. It is not a museum anymore,has not been for many years, Sure it still houses significant Bay of Plenty nostalgia and that is protected by the strategic vision for the Village . Why shouldn't rate payer money go into it? It belongs to the City! It has tenants that keep it afloat and how many other free community accessible places can do that ? A Park? A beach? Landlords should invest in their properties or they do become worn out and uncompliant . (It is NOT cheap rent as a matter of fact) You can read the strategy here. It's positive. The Village needs support. http://econtent.tauranga.govt.nz/data/documents/strategies/files/historic_village_strategy_12.pdf


inconsistancies and Prioritisation

Posted on 03-02-2015 23:51 | By Murray.Guy

Councillorwatch asks how much subsidy should the Village receive. I don't have the answer to that, but I do know that our City Council has just approved in principle allocating $10 million to events and frankly, I am, of the opinion the 17th Avenue Village contributes 24/7, 352 days a year, more to our community than any one event, yet is 100% self sufficient. I have long advocated for our Council to stop it's haphazard lolly scramble approach in regards those charities and organisations that secure significant ratepayer support. We learnt recently of the 50% ratepayer subsidy being applied to the Mercy Ship without Councillors knowledge. All worthy organisations to varying degrees BUT there must be parity and a policy that prevents ratepayer dollars being used as a popularity fund, that ensures all are treated fairly and equally. At this time the Village is treated somewhat shabbily.


@kiaora2u and tabatha

Posted on 04-02-2015 11:02 | By BullShtAlert

Sorry to disappoint you but I regularly go to the Village. Sorry if the truth hurts but I have no evidence that Catherine Stewart (or past councillor Murray Guy) or any present councillor has moved any subsidy or grant from ratepayers to the Village. If they really support the Village why not propose the money. Political talk is cheap. Actually doing something is far more worthy of praise. Please correct me if what I believe to be true is wrong. But correct me with facts.


Collaboration

Posted on 04-02-2015 14:01 | By Sam Green

The Village is a different place now from what it was and people need to move on. It is vibrant and there are hundreds of people on site every day from morning till late in the evening: community groups, boutique shops, education providers, classes, offices etc. The Council have not maintained the asset and are currently doing research as to what the real and full costs of bringing this run down resource up to standard will be. They do need to bite the bullet in regard to investment but it would also be great to see this being funded collaboratively by our local funders such as Bay Trust and TECT. After all - this is a city resource that supports many factors of vibrant Tauranga. Bringing back a dodgy train is not what is needed. Nor is harping on about it's "historic" nature when barely half the buildings are.


Sam's sensible suggestion

Posted on 04-02-2015 16:27 | By Annalist

Among the hysterics Sam's suggestion seems good. As he says, there are hundreds of people there and it's up to the public to get on down there too if they really support it. Old wooden buildings are very expensive to maintain and I'm imagining a huge bill on ratepayers. Council needs to cut back, not increase its costs to ratepayers.


Is it so hard!!!!!!

Posted on 07-02-2015 17:44 | By Jimmy Ehu

lets see, why is not the 12 million spending spree on the Water Front development, instead spent on bringing the Historic Village to the Water Front?, excavate the Redoubt, and create an "Historic Pathway" to the Elms Museum.


Sam, Jimmy and others

Posted on 10-02-2015 18:53 | By YOGI BEAR

I think the Historic Village is a great thing for the Tauranga area as a whole. The key factor of success here is that TCC need to absolutely minimise their interference in it as this should be run as a commercial activity. For that to happen successfully commercial decisions need to be made. TCC officials have illustrated repeatedly that they have no ability here at all. The track record of TCC and anything perhaps commercial is to convert it to a loss-making ever hungry rates eating monster with mushroom tendencies for the growth of the losses from day one onwards. This may sound a little bit negative, but sadly for all TCC ratepayers the reality of it is what it is.


whats next

Posted on 17-02-2015 23:15 | By mike harman

I understand this council like most in NZ employ a property manager.What have they been doing ,first we read the council building has rot now the Historic Village has trouble, It is obvious that the property manager has not been doing their job, in my submissions on the ten year plan last year(now I note they have another ten year plan?)I suggested that if a employee was not up to the job sack them and get someone that can do the work. It seems to me that the property manager should join the scrap heap we do not need to pay high wages to these under performing clowns who probably wouldn't be able to get a cushy job in the open work force.


mike harman

Posted on 04-03-2015 11:00 | By YOGI BEAR

I believe that the property manager employs consults (as all council staff do) they then read the reports and get a pay rise and bonus ... and live happily ever after. Don't ask that they be sacked, they never can be sacked, even though they want the job as the private sector (but get more) there is one thing that never happens, they "NEVER" get the sack. They just get promoted up or sideways and paid more.


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