Fence changes concern residents

Changes to the original fence around Pioneer Park, Alexandra, are being made due to safety issues, leaving some residents concerned its heritage value will be destroyed.

The wire component of the fence was to be removed, but there had been no decision made about what will happen to the posts, Central Otago District Council chief executive Phil Melhopt said.

Alexandra resident Bob Kilgour said the fence, put in by the town's pioneers, had significant heritage value but he had been told it was to be changed dramatically.

Three fence posts along Tarbert St had been knocked down when a tree fell in high winds in March 2009. They had been removed earlier this week and Mr Kilgour was under the impression that the remaining posts were to be halved in height.

Central Otago District Council business development manager Jonathan Gadd, who is in charge of the fence project, said the wire had been in a state of disrepair for some time.

"The wire is a health and safety issue as well as looking terrible and shabby.

"It will be replaced with hoop steel which will be a much more permanent solution, something that will look good and last a long time."

He said the process to replace the fence around the entrance at Centennial Ave and Tarbert St had begun but the Vincent Community Board has yet to decide about what to do with the fence along Tarbert St.

Vincent Community Board chairwomen Clair Higginson said: "The three factors that need to be taken into account are the look, the affordability and safety."

Both Ms Higginson and Mr Gadd echoed Mr Melhopt in saying a decision had not been made about the part of the fence Mr Kilgour was concerned about.