Published HBT Friday 9 Dec 2015
The Hastings District Council is about to start the consulting process on the future of the Hawke’s Bay Opera House and former Municipal Buildings. These iconic Hastings structures are judged earthquake prone suggesting they could collapse with catastrophic consequences in a major shake. Initial indications suggest it will cost $10 million to fix the Opera House and $24 million for both buildings, depending partly on the extent of strengthening undertaken. Whilst 34% of code for new structures will comply with the law, engineers regard 67% as the minimum acceptable target if strengthening work is undertaken. Nor do we want a repeat situation if standards are further enhanced.
This is not an exact science and these are not precise figures. Different engineers have different interpretations, and in at least one other local instance a more invasive structural investigation has produced an entirely different assessment. It has also been suggested the council’s risk analysis is incorrect.
It is a great pity problems such as unreinforced brick columns were not identified when $15 million was spent on the previous major upgrade just a decade ago, even if council has been exonerated by a report it commissioned. This was the first of Mayor Yule’s think big projects and its perhaps worth remembering at the time both he and Chief executive were professional engineers.
Clearly the softening up process has already started. The Mayor has claimed (HBT 24/11/15) that already $20 million is in the budget somehow implying there is already cash in hand. This is not true. It still has to be borrowed and Hastings debt, costs, and rates will increase as a result. A statement “that keeping the Opera House is a no-brainer” from internationally acclaimed urban designer and member of the independent work group, James Lunday (27/11/15) has no substance and is simply intended to sway public opinion. The group has provided no financial estimates, no operating forecasts, no indications of proven public need, and has no councillor representation. Nor does there seem to have been any attempt to establish if the facility is still fit for purpose. For instance it appears the stage is not acceptable to either the National Orchestra or NZ Ballet company.
Even more troubling is the apparent inclusion of the $12.5 million Civic Square upgrade that was initially put on hold following the Opera House assessment, plus additional money for a CBD hotel. Together these could easily cause council debt to increase by $40 million and the impact on rates will be profound. Once built these facilities will create even more as yet unspecified ongoing operating expenditures, and as before will likely contribute nothing towards interest costs or capital repayments. Significantly the HDC has actually made significant savings since the Opera House doors were closed.
With some councillors already claiming they have not heard a single voice in opposition to spending such a huge sum of ratepayers money it is clear the community needs to get involved or the decision will be foist upon them without their true involvement. People of all persuasions must make their views known if the decisions made by councillors are to reflect the communities views.
These are architecturally unique heritage buildings and visually Hastings would seem a very different place without them. However it is not entirely clear whether the enthusiasm is for the architecture or as a place of assembly. Inevitably the consultation process will be flawed because council will pitch it in a way that tilts opinion towards the outcome it wants, and most of those making submissions are likely to also be of that persuasion. We cannot listen to just the shrillest and most emotive voices.
Ideally this decision should be decided by referendum but this option will likely be ignored because it might produce an unwanted outcome in the same way the referendum on amalgamation failed to produce the desired result.
