The Central Otago community will now have its say on which community halls and buildings they think the council should retain, with 23 currently on the chopping block.

Under the Level of Service review, Ophir and Clyde halls, Vallance Cottage, Millers Flat Hall, Ranfurly Hall, Naseby Hall, Naseby General Store, Centennial Milk Bar and the Wallace Memorial Rooms back are just some that could be divested or demolished.

Ongoing escalating costs of halls and buildings including $12.7million identified earthquake strengthening has led to the review.

Following an emotional debate at its council meeting in Cromwell, some councillors were disappointed that recommendations made at community board meetings to reduce the list in an attempt to retain some of their buildings, were kept separate from what staff originally suggested.

Maniototo-based councillor Stu Duncan has been a strong advocate for retaining many of the halls in his areas, but council staff said they should now let the community at large have their say.

“The doors are not shut, but the community are going to ask questions, and our area is having the fastest growth in Central Otago, and we’re talking about the things that were put in place 100 years ago for that growth, and the growth came 100 years later.”

Vincent councillor Martin McPherson said he did not want to see a repeat of the wilding pines issue that “split the community apart.”

“We need to take the community along on this journey.”

Cr McPherson asked council staff what assurances the community would get that the halls and buildings were offered to groups first before sold to a developer or the highest bidder.

Where divestment was recommended, that could mean a community group acquired the building to maintain the on-going operational maintenance or earthquake strengthening of the building as an alternative of ratepayers.

It was made clear following the council debate that the staff recommendations should remain, because the final decision would not be made until after the public is consulted in the New Year.

Have a story to share? 

Contact [email protected]