Advisers to help preserve city

Losing seven old St Heliers buildings alerted the city council to heritage issues. Photo / Dean Purcell

The Auckland Council is setting up a heritage advisory panel to strengthen its hand in protecting the city's dwindling stock of Victorian, Edwardian and art deco buildings.

The January demolition of seven old buildings in St Heliers, including three 1935 Spanish mission-style houses, was a wake-up call for Mayor Len Brown and councillors about the level of community anger and lack of power to prevent the destruction of heritage buildings.

Yesterday, the council's parks, recreation and heritage committee voted to establish an advisory panel made up of people with heritage and other relevant expertise, as well as interested members of the community.

The panel will not have statutory decision-making powers, but will provide independent advice and input to heritage issues before the council.

It will also advise on council policy and public developments, and members will be able to sit on the urban design panel, which considers developments in the early stages.

Heritage committee chairwoman Sandra Coney said the move would reinforce the protection of the city's built and cultural heritage as a priority in the new Auckland.

"The advisory panel demonstrates the determination of the council to work co-operatively with the community and use their local knowledge and expertise as we work to protect and celebrate our heritage," she said.

Ms Coney will chair the panel, but an attempt by her and some councillors to choose the other members was defeated after a motion by councillor Ann Hartley.

Mrs Hartley and six other councillors wanted to call for public nominations to make the process open and transparent.

Ms Coney was concerned public nominations would cause delays, saying she was keen to get the panel running and not be tripped up by another heritage issue in the meantime.

Heritage advocate and Historic Places Trust board member Allan Matson said the panel could be a useful tool, particularly for community groups to get an early look at heritage issues.

Mr Matson supported members of thenew panel sitting on the urban design panel and providing input into council policy.