Push to rescind GB grandstand demo decision
The Golden Bay grandstand may be thrown a lifeline.
Tasman District councillors are due tomorrow to consider a motion to rescind a majority decision made in May to remove the more than 100-year-old grandstand from its site at Takaka.
Some protesters started occupying the grandstand after the resolution to remove the structure passed 8:6 on May 24.
Cr Paul Sangster, of Golden Bay, was one of the six councillors who voted against the May motion. He and Crs Mark Greening, David Ogilvie, Dean McNamara and Dana Wensley signed a notice of motion to rescind the earlier decision. The matter is on the agenda for a meeting of the full council scheduled for tomorrow.
The draft resolution seeks the agreement of the council to rescind the May 24 decision. It also seeks agreement for the removal of the squash courts and rear lean-to by September 30, along with the reinstatement of the grandstand stairs so it can be used.
In addition, the draft resolution seeks agreement for the grandstand to remain in situ for 12 months from September 30, and approval for the Golden Bay Restoration Society to prepare a restoration plan by September 30, 2019.
In a report on the issue, council chief executive Janine Dowding says councillors must turn their minds to a list of considerations.
These are the issues around structural strength of the building; the building consents necessary to give effect to what is proposed; funding implications; the ability of the Golden Bay Restoration Society (or an alternative group) to put forward a proposal; reporting requirements from the society on progress with the restoration plan; the development of a relocation proposal that is realistic and achievable; formalities of a lease at the site where the grandstand is to be relocated; satisfactory foundations at the new site; whether a bond should be required to cover removal and remediation costs in the event that an acceptable restoration proposal does not eventuate; the cost of temporary groundworks to recontour and tidy the area around the new recreation centre and the grandstand following removal of the squash courts and lean-to; responsibility for funding final site works once the grandstand has been removed; the effect on the existing building consent for the rec centre in relation to car parking, drainage works and measures to achieve either temporary or permanent compliance; a decision on whether further consultation is necessary; and termination or amendment of the contract with Gibbons Construction as principal contractor to the Golden Bay Shared Recreation Facility project, in relation to the outstanding elements of that contract.
The move comes as the Golden Bay Grand Stand Community Trust and Golden Bay A&P Association seek a judicial review of the council’s decisions to demolish the grandstand. They have applied for interim relief to prevent demolition while awaiting determination of the judicial review. A hearing is scheduled for today.