Reusing existing buildings would be a more environmentally friendly approach than demolition, he said. "While it may be too late to save this building, we would like to see the council review its environmental policy in relation to purchasing buildings and refrain from buying buildings in the future, simply to demolish them." The building does not have a heritage status but "it could feasibly be included on the updated schedule of heritage items", Gilkison said.Ĭonceding the building was doomed, Gilkison said he hoped it served as a lesson for the council. The car park created by the building's demolition would be primarily for visitors to Te Whare Whakatere. Parking was considered in the building design, with around 50 car parks included in the plans, Riach said. The decision to demolish the building was made by the council at a meeting in July 2022, behind closed doors, and not released publically until Local Democracy Reporting revealed the details in July. "The council took the opportunity to buy the building at a moment in time with a particular purpose in mind but has later decided to utilise the space differently." "This essentially did away with the need for any spillover office space nearby. "The ultimate design of Te Whare Whakatere, following consultation with the community, was for a larger building than originally planned," Riach said. "Perhaps a bit more foresight and forward planning could have prevented the loss of this building and the waste associated with its demolition."Ĭouncil chief executive Hamish Riach said the building was purchased in 2017 as potential spillover office space for the then-under-consideration new library and civic centre. He said it looked like the council purchased the $550,000 building "simply so they can pull it down to make way for a new car park". But they must have been aware of these costs, as part of their due diligence, before they purchased the building."
"The rationale given by the council for demolishing the building is that it was too costly to refurbish and earthquake strengthen. "We have been told that this demolition is unfortunately a done deal and that council are not able to get out of the contract they have signed to demolish this building.
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