Hackles raised at hearing

Owen Graham
Owen Graham
A New Zealand Historic Places Trust submission to a resource consent hearing in Dunedin yesterday resulted in some terse exchanges, as Otago-Southland area manager Owen Graham raised the hackles of both the applicant and the hearings committee.

And his claims developer Luke Dirkzwager was not willing to consult the trust have been denied by Mr Dirkzwager's consultant, Allan Cubitt.

At a hearing into the demolition of a series of Princes St buildings, Mr Graham told the committee the heritage issues were such an important part of the development, he would have expected more direct discussion with the trust.

"Rather, it seems the promoters have been intent on resisting acknowledgment of heritage values from the outset, despite being aware of the DCC-scheduled facades."

He said at no stage had the applicant or his consultants undertaken discussions with the trust so they could understand the historic heritage value of the site, or discuss other options.

Committee member Cr Richard Walls told him there was "an old-fashioned thing called the telephone".

"I was waiting for the call," Mr Graham replied.

Mr Cubitt said he had emailed Mr Graham suggesting discussions in December.

That email, which Mr Cubitt produced, was dated December 19 last year, and said Mr Dirkzwager was keen to meet the trust to discuss options.

Mr Graham's emailed reply said the request came at "a difficult stage of the proposal".

"While I remain open to off-the-record discussions at a future stage, it seems to me that one of two things needs to happen ahead of any discussion.

"Either we should await the hearing commissioners' interim report first, or your client's current proposal needs first to be withdrawn."

Later that day, he said in another email he would only meet once an assessment had been made "by a recognised and competent adviser".

 

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