Vote Castlecliff
Question 8: Candidate Response
What Our Candidates are Telling Us.
Question 8: The Castlecliff Hotel is a historic Whanganui building built in 1885, on Council owned land with the lease expiring in ten years. What action would you take to preserve this landmark building for the future?
James Newell: Would need to know more about its options.
Charlotte Melser: I don’t have a position on this issue.
Jenny Duncan: Leases can be renegotiated. There is no reason why that would not be the case here. The building itself is in private company ownership who sublease it. The land is in the Harbour Endowment portfolio which is owned by Whanganui Port Limited Partnership. Council and Councillors have no direct control over what happens to the building. If the owners want to renew the lease or develop the site differently then they can approach the Port Partnership and our planning team. Personally, I think this building holds a great deal of nostalgia for many and should be retained.
Rob Vinsen: I am unaware of the Heritage Classification for this building. My view is that Heritage Class 1 and 2 buildings should be preserved as legally required.
Julian Bailey (Rural Community Board - Kaitoke subdivision): Historic!! I’ve had many misspent and educational moments in the Pig Pen and lounge Bar of the Barry Ross-era Castleciff Hotel. As for action to preserve it, I am no expert in preservation procedure. So that would depend on the options presented, costs and benefits to the community.
Rory Smith: The old buildings are part of what makes Whanganui tick and I am loathed to see any pulled down. I would be interested to know what facility Council has to make the lease as attractive as possible. It is difficult to form a solid opinion without all the associated information.
Alan Taylor - Horizons-Whanganui Constituency: I’d support having an expert opinion delivered on the structural integrity of the building as well as on the historical significance. With that informed comment, Council should seek public submission on its future.
Glenda Brown: I would need to see a feasibility study on this to give an informed opinion. What I am aware of is there is never enough funding to go around, and some things need to take priority over others. I would also want to see survey results from the community to see their engagement on this project.
Scott Phillips: I love Heritage buildings, and Whanganui is building a reputation based on amazing heritage buildings, they should be preserved, not just the CBD ones. I don’t know the terms of the lease etc, but it is important that it is properly looked after, either council run or re-leased, with the proper conditions placed on it.
Daniel (DC) Harding: To be honest, it’s my parent's second home. The question almost implies that at the end of the lease, it’s going to be torn down – I’m not aware of this intention. The Castlecliff Hotel continues to serve a purpose for the community – a place where people congregate and build relationships. Growing up and visiting the hotel has been a part of my life since I can remember. Inside it, you’ll hear local voices discussing key issues for Castlecliff and will often provide solutions over a cold handle. If it’s in-line for a teardown, you’ll find me and my parents on the front line, with many others, as we form a human chain to stop it from happening – amen!
Ross Fallen: A working group to investigate, similar to Progress Castlecliff, or a subset of that. Historic buildings in our area are as worthy as the town centre. That working group should include architects and those with a passion for our history and building preservation. If we can save a tram stop in Rangiora Street, then is not the hotel as worthy?
David Cotton - Horizons, Whanganui Constituency: Is WDC matter.
Andrew Tripe: As a heritage building owner, I understand the importance of retaining and enhancing heritage. This will need to be considered in the 10-year plan.
Kate Joblin: Keep an open mind about what the future would be for this building.
Helen Craig: This issue hasn't been raised with Councillors to my knowledge and there is no funding provision. For a start, the building will need to be added to Council’s Heritage List if it's to be protected as it's not listed. Council would need to consider if the lease should be offered again and if rates should go toward its preservation. I am very happy to take this matter up with Council’s Heritage officer and it would be good to have demonstrated community support for the building.
Roy Brown: Generally, the same approach as the Duncan Pavillion and I would look to renew the lease. Funding would need to be put aside to improve and upgrade the hotel.
Rodd Trott: let’s face it we have a major issue around the future of old buildings (eg boatsheds, churches etc). Council needs to facilitate a City-wide project to attract capital investment into the City in conjunction with Castlecliff community interests, national/international. (N.B. Same response as question 7)
Michael Law: I would be very surprised if this is in doubt. Whanganui prides itself on its heritage buildings. The age and significance of this landmark would mean that the lease will see no problem being extended and the building itself should be registered for heritage with suitable funding to maintain.
Charlie Anderson: Without knowing the details of the lease, I would imagine there would be 100% support for all to preserve this icon, so am not overly concerned. However, if any rumblings to the contrary were heard, that would certainly get my attention.
Philippa Baker-Hogan: Council needs to consider it, properly with Whanganui Heritage Trust to consider options and present to Council.
Dan Jackson: The Castlecliff Pub needs heritage protection if it has not already got it. I first knew it as the Pig pen, and it has improved a lot since then. It is, however, an active commercial building that must pay its own way. As such, the business owners must ultimately be able to make decisions in regards to how they run their business. I would like council to support them with any work that needs doing to keep the building serviceable and looking good. As for its long-term future use, it is hard to say where the suburb will be in ten years time when the lease is up, and the building’s use may change with the area.
Phillip (Bear) Rewiti: The Hotel is an important part of the community.
Allan Wrigglesworth - Horizons, Whanganui Constituency: This requires a thorough community discussion. It does not directly involve the regional council.
Hamish McDouall: The hotel is on Harbour Endowment Land. Council rarely sells this land and prefers long-term leases. A new long-term lease should be able to be negotiated. However, the Endowment portfolio has recently been transferred to the Port Operations Company, so Council is no longer the decision-maker on this.
James Barron: Te Puwaha, Port and Employment interests all argue that the Cross Street commercial area must receive significant private investment if the full local benefit of the port work is to be realised. These tenants (which include the four square) deserve security of tenure on the clear basis that this will enable them to invest and improve their properties, activating the area in a way not dissimilar to what has been achieved in Rangiora Street.