More than 150 items of historical significance have been nominated for inclusion in the heritage appendix of the Waitaki District Council’s District Plan, which is under review.
More than 200 items are already listed and protected under the plan, made operative in 2004. Historian and heritage enthusiast Bruce Comfort, of Oamaru, has nominated about 100 items — 40 war memorials and 60 places he describes as "poorly recognised or forgotten" places of geological or scientific interest and places of industrial or pastoral occupation and activity.
Many items and places nominated by Mr Comfort are on private land.
He said some landowners were aware he had nominated items and places on their land, while others were not.
"I have consulted with quite a few landowners, but in the main I have submitted the place and have advised landowners of that, after the closing date.
"The time to make submissions was consumed by the process and the time I spent with landowners discussing the proposed nomination was mixed in its efficacy and value to me.
"I am still writing and delivering letters advising of my action to private landowners. There are and will be dissatisfied landowners. I have to wear that."
When submissions closed on December 20, 151 nominations had been received and they will be considered for addition to the district plan by Waitaki District Council staff as part of the review.
Of those, 84 were categorised as buildings, structures or monuments; 23 as places of of historical or cultural importance; 13 as gardens, trees or plantings associated with heritage items; 12 as groups of interrelated places (cultural landscapes, townscapes, streetscapes and settlements) and 11 as archaeological sites or features.
Some have yet to be categorised.
The council aims to have the district plan notified in 2018.
