A spruce up for the South Waikato

Rreleased: Friday 26 August 2022

South Waikato District Council staff have concluded a building rationalisation project for the district, with a number of Council owned buildings around the South Waikato District set to be retained, demolished, sold or removed.

Council holds a significant building portfolio. Some of these buildings have come into our ownership by default when clubs and community organisations cease to operate. Some properties no longer support the vision Council has for the growth of its community and our commitment to building community pride. Some properties present a health and safety risk to the community through becoming increasingly dilapidated and unsafe and that attract anti-social behaviour; some of which require significant funds to remediate or mitigate that risk.

Council has resolved to demolish, sell or remove the following buildings:

• Chapel off Maraetai Road - Remove, sell or demolish
• Art Society Building off Maraetai Road- Remove or demolish
• Dance Studio off Maraetai Road - Demolish
• Potter Shed off Maraetai Road - Demolish
• Pirates Rugby Club, Memorial Park - Demolish
• Garage located on County Lane Road reserve, Tīrau - Demolish
• Veterinary Services: Lot 6 DPS 535, 75 Tīrau Street, Putāruru – Sell on open market, after offering to current tenant
• AFC Rangers Club, Nola Street, Putaruru - Demolish
• Putāruru Small Bore Rifle Club, Corner Peace and Meadow Street - Request Smallbore Club to remove at tenants’ expense or demolish
• Airfield tower, Tokoroa Airfield – demolish* (* the tower has already been removed due to structural integrity and health and safety risks).

The sale or demolition of these structures/building is required to provide safe, durable infrastructure for the community. For many of the older buildings, staff also need to assess any asbestos issues. Where tenants or ex-club members are known to Council, staff have been in touch with people, or are in the process of getting in touch. In regard to some buildings, we have no contacts and it would be helpful to contact our Property Team if you suspect this may be the case with you. Staff will continue to work with the community through any issues associated with Council’s decisions and when the sites need to be vacated by.

“We acknowledge that some of these clubs and buildings hold sentimental value to a significant portion of the community and may still have memorabilia inside of them. If club members would like to safely retrieve anything within the buildings, we invite you to contact to South Waikato District Council to organise to do this safely,” said Blaise Williams, Property Services Manager.

The properties which have been identified for conditional retention, will be the subject of a further report to Council recommending either final disposal or retention.