UPDATE: "Significant damage'' has been seen at Vallance Cottage following the collapse of the cottage's wall overnight.

On Friday the Central Otago District Council (CODC) issued a statement saying Alexandra’s Vallance Cottage was closed to the public for the “foreseeable future’’ while the Council investigated further deterioration of the historic building. 

However, Council updated this morning to say further damage had occurred.

CODC property and facility manager Garreth Robinson said staff and the Vallance Cottage Working Group were "devastated" at the damage and the wall’s failure. 

“We had been fully aware of further, rapid deterioration over the past few months, and even over the last week, hence the decision to close and cordon off the cottage last Friday for safety reasons.”

The snow and rain over Labour Weekend were a contributing factor to the collapse, and to other deterioration noted elsewhere in the cottage, Mr Robinson said.

“This will be upsetting for many people in the district who know the cottage or have visited the Vallance Cottage Reserve. The staff and the working group are devastated to see the damage.”

The partial wall collapse at Vallance Cottage. PHOTO: CODC

Vallance Cottage is a special piece of Central Otago history - once home to William Vallance, shepherd-goldminer and his family of eight children.

Council’s property team identified that the 128-year-old cottage’s mud bricks had been deteriorating over the past year, and steps had been taken to halt further damage to the fabric, such as the removal of the concrete footpaths that were trapping moisture in the walls.

Fencing surrounds historic Vallance Cottage. PHOTO: THE CENTRAL APP

However, in the past month, it had been noted that the mud bricks, particularly on the south wall, had deteriorated further, which led to safety concerns and the decision to close the cottage.

A cordon had been put in place surrounding the cottage on Friday- just one day after the cottage played host to Dunedin-based lilac expert Beryl Lee’s guided tours of the cottage and expanded lilac collection.

Cracks in the mud brick exterior of Vallance Cottage. PHOTO: THE CENTRAL APP

People were able to explore the garden beds and the inside of the cottage, as well as ask Beryl questions about her passion for the purple blooms.  

The cottage is a heritage listed building, with information about the former residents, and its past offering a glimpse back into pioneering life. 

The Central App will keep readers updated about what the investigations reveal. 

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