They would have to get archaeological approval before they could do anything with their pre-1900s structures, buildings and homes - even painting them or replacing wallpaper.
The Waitaki District Council learned yesterday the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Bill, now before the local government and environment select committee for public submissions, has the potential to impose major costs on heritage building owners.
That has prompted the council to join the Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust to make a submission on the Bill, pointing out the impact of the proposal to require archaeological approval to alter or modify buildings.
The Bill replaces the Historic Places Trust Act, under which an archaeological approval was required from the Historic Places Trust for work on archaeological sites.
The new Bill renames the trust Heritage New Zealand and outlines its powers, including archaeological approvals for pre-1900 buildings.
Oamaru resource management lawyer George Berry, who prepared a joint submission for the civic trust and council, told the council yesterday the change would have a major impact on places like Oamaru and Dunedin, which had a large number of pre-1900 buildings.
Routine maintenance, such as painting, hanging new wallpaper or replacing spouting, along with meeting new standards such as earthquake strengthening, could require approval which would involve substantial cost, he said.
For example, Mr Berry was aware of one project that cost $14,000 for approval and another $7000. Having an archaeologist on site could cost up to $1000 a day.
The council itself had recently paid $10,000 for archaeological approval for work on flood-damaged bridges in the Oamaru gardens.
Mr Berry urged the council to make a submission on behalf of the district and councillors agreed to join the trust in a submission and seek the support of other local authorities.
