That is the view of Dunedin heritage campaigner Ann Barsby, founder of the Southern Heritage Trust.
Mrs Barsby and the trust have recently taken over the responsibility ''to safeguard and restore'' the Donaghys Industries Ltd rope plant's land, buildings and equipment, in Bradshaw St.
The building has Heritage New Zealand category one protection, but it is no longer needed for industrial production, and the company is rationalising and modernising its plant this summer.
Mrs Barsby said ''immediate action'' was needed to ''carefully deconstruct and relocate'' the heavy machinery needed to operate the rope walk.
The trust had been seeking advice from HNZ and other specialists and this complex task had to be completed over the next few weeks, because the equipment occupied space needed by Donaghys to house new machinery.
The restored 320m-long building and its working machinery would add ''an authentic nationally and internationally important attraction'' to Dunedin's industrial heritage portfolio.
Longer-term, she envisaged the building being conserved as a ''living history exhibit'' , with information panels provided, and the ''magnificent 19th-century machines'' would produce rope ''for visitors' enjoyment''.
This industrial heritage display would become an attraction for both Dunedin residents and cruise ship visitors, Mrs Barsby said.
Heritage New Zealand Otago-Southland manager Jonathan Howard said that Donaghys and the new owners of the buildings had played a positive role in negotiations, and he was pleased the Southern Heritage Trust was moving the important project forward.
