Crusher buildings may have to go

Demolition work is being eyed at Masterton's historic Te Ore Ore crusher site to bring it up to safety standards.
Masterton District Council has set aside a provision in its 10-year plan of $15,000 in the next year for the demolition of some small, at-risk buildings at the site and $45,000 in the 2014/2015 budget for others, the old tower possibly among them.
The council is separately considering the future of the weighbridge, and whether it could be relocated to a site with power available, or sold.
Council assets and operations manager David Hopman said the project was "still a work in progress", with funding provisions being the only decisions made so far.
He said the main issue facing the council was that some buildings had been identified as being earthquake risks as part of a review of structures in the town.
"As part of our obligations we have to look at addressing the risk and fixing up the buildings.
"What we are looking at initially is removing the structure on top of the crusher building as it's been identified as being at risk of earthquakes and wind.
"There are a couple of other sheds that are well past their use-by date we are looking at demolishing as well."
Mr Hopman said the site, which has been leased by contractors Oldfields since 1978, was an "asset" to the council as it was a place to store fill or metal.
He said the users would have input as to what needed to be done.
The crusher was first opened by the Masterton County Council in April 1930 and extended in March 1950.
Meanwhile, the council is also looking at refurbishing the Queen Elizabeth Park swing bridge within the next year.
Roading services manager Hamish Pringle said the need for the upgrade, which $50,000 has been earmarked for, was identified after a review of the bridge.