Central Otago District Council is considering cutting some historic halls and facilities from its books to keep costs down as the price to maintain and earthquake strengthen them continues to climb.
But residents say they are shocked to potentially lose “the glue that keeps the community together”.
It is estimated that the more than 20 historic buildings would cost around $15 million to run in the next nine years, most of which related to earthquake strengthening.
In its long-term plan for 2025-2034, it proposed divesting some of the buildings, including old police and railway stations, and cottages.
This could mean selling a building for $1 to the local community; selling to a private buyer; handing the property back to the Crown or iwi; or the demolition of the building for potential site redevelopment.
Central Otago Mayor Tamah Alley said the council had been “really clear” with its communities that they can keep all the facilities on the list — if they want to pay for them.
“That is the challenge, there is a trade-off to be made between rates going up and how much you utilise your local hall or public facility.”
Susan Lane, who lives in Becks, said she was “shocked” to hear that they might lose their hall.
“It’s a glue that keeps the community together, we have so many functions here.”
She said everything from exercise classes to funerals and birthday parties were held at the hall.
“There’s so many meetings that go on here that are part and parcel of making the rural community work.”
Alley acknowledged that for some rural areas, these facilities were the only tangible sign of council being involved in their communities.
“They pay rates, but they might not have town water supply, they might be a long way from the library or public parks, but they have their local hall.”
Deliberations would be heard next week on the consultation, which ended on May 1.
The council had sought feedback from the community as to which buildings it needs to continue to maintain and which ones could be divested.
