Landmark fire station faces demolition

A landmark Dunedin red-brick fire station faces demolition despite the city’s moves to protect it.

The Dunedin City Council has recommended the entire external envelope of Lookout Point Fire Station and the attached accommodation block be listed on the heritage schedule.

However, plans have emerged to demolish the notable, but earthquake-prone, building.

At a hearing on proposed changes to the district plan yesterday, commissioners Rob van Voorthuysen (chairman), Cr Sophie Barker and Cr Jim O’Malley were told the site needed to be upgraded and a new building was the best option.

Patersons planner Kurt Bowen, working with Fire and Emergency New Zealand, said the organisation had a legal requirement to provide a high standard of emergency response capability and, to meet this, needed to be able to upgrade its buildings as required.

"Designating the building with a heritage status will limit what upgrades can be undertaken and could ultimately result in Lookout Point Fire Station becoming a redundant asset," Mr Bowen said.

The building was earthquake-prone and "significantly below" Fenz building standards. Any work to repair it would be considerable and costly, he said.

Fenz had detailed plans for a proposed new building to replace the station.

In October, the council granted a certificate of compliance for the demolition of the building and an unattached accommodation block, meaning Fenz had a five-year period in which it could demolish the buildings, regardless of heritage protection, Mr Bowen said.

"What Fire and Emergency don't want to necessarily have to do is to have to rush a demolition at the end of that five-year period, simply because the [plan change 1] heritage protection is about to come into full effect.

"A much better outcome, we feel, is for the protection not to be applied to this site, leaving Fire and Emergency full flexibility to decide on the best use of the land and the property for their purposes."

The council’s heritage assessment found the building had historic and design significance.

Fenz South Island property manager Stephen Hill said relocating the fire station to other sites had been considered, but Lookout Point was the "No1 optimal location".

Parts of the existing building were "unstrengthenable" and he could not see any way it could remain.

Mr van Voorthuysen said the panel would have to weigh the public benefit of a fire station with gaining a heritage building.

The hearing continues tomorrow.

ruby.shaw@odt.co.nz