Future Of ‘Grand Old Lady’ In Hands Of Commissioner

Thursday, 24 April 2025, 8:17 pm
Article: Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter

Masterton will likely find out next month whether its century-old town hall will be demolished or whether it will be given a stay of execution.

Commissioner Alistair Auburn heard passionate arguments for and against the demolition last week and would likely make his decision on granting demolition consent before the end of May.

The town hall was closed in 2016 after it was deemed to be earthquake-prone.

The council voted last year to demolish the town hall and municipal buildings and build anew at a cost of no more than $25 million.

However, it needed resource consent to do so as the building was listed as a heritage item in the Wairarapa Combined District Plan.

Former Masterton Mayor Bob Francis supported the case for demolition at the hearing and said there had been a lack of any progress for almost a decade and that now was the right time to progress a new town hall build.

He said what the council was proposing was achievable within budget and that he was already working on external fundraising options.

Developer David Borman also threw his support behind demolition at the hearing and said the structural issues with the town hall and municipal buildings meant it would cost more money to strengthen than to rebuild.

He said materials from the existing structures would be salvaged and incorporated into any new build.

“We have a council that was voted in to get things moving, which they have done,” he said.

“Nine years is too long. Let’s get on with it.”

A majority of submitters spoke against demolition, including Robyn Prior who said the consent process felt like the council was “steam rolling a pre-determined outcome”.

She said “new doesn’t mean better”, and that this was not the financial climate to commit ratepayers to “this sort of unnecessary expense”.

“First and foremost, this grand old lady adds to the ambience, spirit, and culture of our town, even as it is,” she said.

“If you allow it to be destroyed, you will take something irreplaceable away from us, and our community will be the poorer for it.”

Masterton Ratepayers and Residents Association president Lyn Riley said the ongoing debate over the town hall had been “marked by controversy, complaints, protests, and frustration, alongside errors and anomalies”.

“It has stirred strong emotions and divided our community. But this issue is not merely about bricks and mortar—it is about the spirit of Masterton: our shared identity, history, and the legacy we pass to future generations.

“Once these buildings are gone, they are lost forever. No modern structure or architectural drawing can replicate their historical value or the deep connection they provide to those who came before us.”

She said demolition was not necessary for public safety, and that there was no imminent danger.

“Alternatives do exist that are both financially comparable and more culturally respectful. So why is demolition being pursued so urgently?

“Proceeding without a firm plan for what comes next is simply poor leadership.

“The only reason they need to demolish is for the purpose of constructing a new building. A new building where there are no plans, and unlikely to come in under $25m.”

She asked the Commissioner to decline the demolition consent.

If the consent was approved, she asked for some conditions to be attached, which included no demolition before there was confirmation that the project could be delivered within the $25m budget, and clear plans for offsetting ratepayer costs through fundraising.

She also asked that there be no demolition until the Government’s Earthquake-Prone Building System Review was completed.

– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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