The Star: July 11, 2024

The Star Thursday July 11 2024
10
NEWS
Historic cottage
could be moved
• By Dylan Smits
MOVING TO a new site is likely for
Canterbury’s historic Yew Cottage as
options for the flood-prone heritage
building are assessed.
Its foundations and lower interior are
water-damaged after sitting unoccupied
since 2007 in a low lying area.
The cottage, in Akaroa’s Rue Jolie, was
built by a cooper in 1877 and passed into
city council ownership after being purchased
by the Banks Peninsula council in
1981.
The Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū Banks
Peninsula Community Board directed
city council staff on Monday to focus on
finding a new site on higher ground.
To make way for potential commercial
use, board members also asked staff to
investigate rescinding the 2022 board
decision, which designated residential use
for the cottage.
Akaroa Civic Trust chair Mike Norris
was pleased the community board was
looking into moving the cottage for
restoration, rather than demolishing it.
“It would be a shame to demolish it. I
think if it can be preserved. We’d support
that,” Norris said.
No final decision has been made as
Monday’s session was information only.
The community board still needs to take
an official vote when staff return with
more detail.
Norris said previous indecision by the
RESTORE: Yew Cottage, built in 1877,
is an example of early settler homes
in Banks Peninsula. ​
city council has made it more difficult to
find a long-term solution for the cottage.
“It’s been neglected so much that I think
the council needs to have a really good
long look at what they’ve proposed to do
with it if they do restore it. It’s no good
having an empty building,” he said.
Banks Peninsula city councillor Tyrone
Fields rejected the idea city council
indecision has further damaged the
building, saying a lack of community input
in the past has created uncertainty about
how the cottage should be used.
“We’ve tried to be responsible with ratepayers’
money and have asked staff to find
the best solutions for that.”
Fields favours moving the building
over demolition, but would prefer the
city council does not pay for it and a new
private owner is found to foot the bill for
the move and restoration.
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SUNDAY 21 JULY, 10.30AM & 2PM
Get ready for an unforgettable performance
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concert. Expect show stopping songs from
a range of musicals from different eras.
To top it all off we’ll even provide
refreshments.
RSVP is essential
Call us to secure your place.
Sunday 21 July, 10.30am
Call Danielle on 354 6608
NGAIO MARSH VILLAGE
95 Grants Road, Papanui
Sunday 21 July, 2pm
Call Adrienne or Chris on 385 3518
DIANA ISAAC VILLAGE
1 Lady Isaac Way, Mairehau