Built Heritage Study
Whakatane District Council recently launched the Built Heritage Research Study. The study will provide quality information about heritage buildings in Whakatane thereby ensuring that they are managed in such a way that will help put Whakatane on the map.
The Whakatane Built Heritage Project
Looking at the management options for Whakatane’s Built Heritage
The Whakatane District Council has undertaken a Built Heritage Study as a joint initiative with Environment Bay of Plenty and the New Zealand Historic Places Trust. The study started in April this year and looked at buildings in Whakatane’s Central Business District (CBD).
The next stage of the project is to discuss the different management options with building owners and the wider community and to gain feedback on the different options. The most appropriate management option(s) identified in consultation will then be discussed further with building owners and the wider community and any options implemented will come out of these discussions.
Background
Following submissions to the Long Term Council Community Plan 2006-2016, the Council agreed to conduct the District’s Built Heritage Study. An understanding of Whakatane’s built heritage will help to appropriately manage the built heritage of past and present Central Business District. This Built Heritage study follows on from the 2006 study done by the Whakatane District’s Historical Society.
The Historical Society, with support from the Regional Council (Environment Bay of Plenty), completed the “Whakatane Township Historic Heritage Resource Study” (October 2006) which recommends further archaeological research. This study includes an archaeological assessment of sites in the township area and inventory of sites comprising the 19th Century Central Business District (CBD). It identified four specific areas that are likely to contain archaeological values which are namely, Wairaka, the current CBD area, Mokorua and Kopeopeo.
These areas have been identified as “alert layers” for Whakatane District Council to inform developers, landowners and interested groups about the possible existence of archaeological sites.
The Whakatane Built Heritage Study
The built heritage study involved:
a) A thematic overview which involves identifying what buildings related to particular “themes” over time, e.g. recreation, government, commercial.
b) Tracking each building’s site history i.e. what was built there previously and what activities occurred on the site.
c) Incorporating the inventory of activities on sections in the historic CBD as identified in the Historic Heritage Resource Study (Area A in the study area). Complete the inventory of activities on sites in the remaining CBD area (Area B in the study area).
d) Assessing all the structures in the study area against the historic heritage criteria as outlined in Appendix F of the Bay of Plenty Regional Policy Statement.
e) Assessing the economic value of buildings identified as historically significant through research on this issue at a national and international level.
f) Making recommendations for methods for future management of historic buildings identified.
The Study Area
The study area generally focuses on the central business area of Whakatane as defined in the District Plan and shown on the following map. This includes the commercial heart of the city. The area was broken into two parts, A and B.
Area A
Area A is located east of Pohaturoa at the intersection of Commerce St and The Strand. This is the earliest settled and developed part of the township and contains many of the township’s traditional heritage buildings and sites. This area was subject of the Whakatane and District Historical Society’s 2006 study entitled Whakatane Township Historic Heritage Resource Study.
Area B
Area B is west of Pohaturoa and is generally land developed after draining of the estuary area from the 1950s forward.
Review of built heritage in the central area was addressed as a priority because of potential development pressure and the density of built fabric in the central area.
A map of Whakatane township showing the study area outlined in red
Final reports
Two reports have come out of the study- Part One and Part Two:
Part one
Part one contains a brief history of the study area categorised into themes. This is called a thematic overview and sets up the context on which to study individual buildings. The thematic overview consists of the following themes:
• Environment
• Whakatane peoples and their interactions
• Governance, administration and land ownership
• Building a new settlement
• Creating an Infrastructure
• Providing transport and access
• Working - industry and commerce
• Developing cultural institutions and ways of life
Each theme has a separate sub-theme.
Part one goes on to outline the methodology used to identify and assess historical resources in central Whakatane as set out in the Regional Policy Statement. It also reviews the existing planning framework and identifies the economic implications of identifying places as being of heritage value as seen in other studies.
These buildings identified as historically significant and flagged to be considered for management have been grouped as follows:
• Places of high cultural significance that have been researched as part of this study that could be considered for inclusion in the district plan heritage register (Red on the map)
• Places which are of significance primarily for their collective character values. A potential Character Heritage Overlay has been identified to reflect these groups of traditional buildings (Blue on the map).
• Modern architectural heritage – individual places that are of significance dating from post war development (Yellow on the map).
Plan showing buildings of significance and groupings - click to launch pdf (500KB)
Part Two then suggests five options to manage Whakatane’s built heritage, giving an overview of the main options, followed with a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of each approach.
The five options to consider managing Whakatane’s built heritage are:
1. Do nothing/retain heritage management framework as it currently exists.
2. Use a range of non-regulatory methods to encourage heritage protection.
3. Scheduling significant buildings
4. Create Heritage Character Overlay Zones
5. Combination of statutory and non-statutory techniques and incentives
Part Two
Part two contains the individual record forms for the buildings in the study area. Each building’s historical information has been gathered and an assessment of the site’s significance and relationship to the thematic study made.
WHY RECOGNISE WHAKATANE’S BUILT HERITAGE?
Recognising built heritage is an integral component of a ‘unique town’ because it demonstrates how much the town values the diversity of its environment. It provides a sympathetic human scale and form to the urban environment, and enhances the well-being of its citizens. It can also make a significant contribution to the economy, through employment, tourism, and the provision of interesting and alternative working and entertainment spaces.
Whakatane’s historic buildings are a precious and finite resource. Historic buildings are an integral part of the CBD’s character and contribute to the town’s identity. They provide a link with our past and enrich our environment. Recognising and acknowledging the important roles historic buildings play in the community is important in finding the best management options for Whakatane’s built heritage.
Currently there is little recognition of heritage buildings and structures in the district plan or by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust. No buildings within the study area are scheduled or registered.
Next Stage of the Project
The next stage of the project is to discuss the different management options with building owners and the wider community and to gain feedback on the different options.
The Council would like to take this opportunity to find out what you consider to be important and what options you prefer.
There will be:
• A display stand in the Whakatane District Council foyer providing information about the available options and
• A public open day on the 24th January in the Esplanade Mall, the Strand, Whakatane.
• There is a summary document which outlines the Built Heritage Study and management options. This can be obtained by contacting the Whakatane District Council or downloaded here.
The most appropriate management option(s) identified in consultation will be discussed further with building owners and the wider community and any options implemented will come out of these discussions.
A summary of the management options may be obtained in the public offices of the Whakatane District Council at the following places:
• Civic Centre, Commerce Street Whakatane;
In each of the Libraries at:
• Whakatane - Civic Centre
• Edgecumbe - College Road
• Ohope - Harbour Road
Or downloaded (pdf) here:
BHS Summary
Built Heritage Study Part one
Feedback form
For more information or details about the study you can email Policy Planner or contact Sharn Meekel on (07) 306 0500