HH-14: District Council Office and Library

Location and Zoning Information

Address

Overdale St, Putāruru

Current Owner

South Waikato District Council

Legal Description

Pt Sec 14 Blk X Patetere Nth SD

Zoning

Designated “Office and Library”

Valuation Number

0541728100

Google Maps Link

Lat:-38.051016, Long:175.777827

Architecture

Date of Construction

1906

Materials

Timber and corrugated roof iron. Double hung joinery.

Architecture/Engineer/Builder

Architect & Engineer: Unknown. Builder: Thomas Henry Sloane and William Ernest Bennett from Rotorua.

Condition

Excellent (HNZPT).

Original Site Recommendation

HNZPT Ref: 4280. Heritage Advisor, HNZPT.

Current Use

District Council and Library Offices

Statement of Significance

(1 Historical) - dates from periods of early settlement in South Waikato, early settlement 1906, oldest public building in Putāruru. (3 Community Association) - has important community association and public esteem, oldest public building in Putāruru, history of municipal use. (6 Educational) - has the potential to educate the public about the history of South Waikato.  (13 Integrity) - good level of integrity.

District Plan Rules

Demolition -DIS.  Protection focus - 1, 3 and 6. Mitigate the effects of demolition by requiring the applicant to provide Historical Building Documentation (HBD) which should include: the structure history, photographic documentation and measurements of the item prior to removal.

Alterations necessary for the primary purpose of improving structural performance, fire safety or physical access – CON -Refer to HH-R2.  Other Additions/Alterations - DIS.  Protection focus - 1 and 3. Effects can be mitigated/remedied through; a) HBD - See mitigating the effects of demolition. b) Design Rules: 1.The overall visual character/shape of the original building should be identifiable. The addition should not dominate the existing building.  2.New work should be restricted to the rear of the building and not be evident from the road frontage. 3. The following special elements that are associated with the rarity or architectural uniqueness or craftsmanship of the structure should be retained: Elements of the structure that should be retained are those elements associated with its historic use as a rare type of building, i.e. façade, exterior walls, openings, landscape (protection of surrounds and street frontage) and any other elements identified in the Historic Building Documentation. c) Building materials rule: If repair of the structure is proposed the materials used for the exterior walls and elements should be similar in type, dimensions and profile as the existing exterior fabric of the building.

Repair of the Structure - PER. Refer to HH-R1.  Protection focus - 1.

Re-use/Change of Use - PER.  Refer to HH-R1.  Protection focus - 1 and 3.

Internal  Changes - DIS.

Relocation - DIS. Protection focus - 1 and 3.

Disturbance of the site surface/earthworks - Note: Any place that was associated with human activity prior to 1900 and is able to provide evidence relating to the history of New Zealand is an 'archaeological site' (refer to definition of 'archaeological site' in Section 2 of the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014). All archaeological sites are protected under the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014 and approval from Heritage New Zealand must be obtained prior to destroying, damaging or modifying any site. Accordingly, where this site on which a building is located is an 'archaeological site' and the building is to be repaired, added to, relocated or demolished and this involves disturbance to the surface and/or subsurface of the site, approval from Heritage New Zealand is required.

Surrounds - Protection extends to cover trees between building and Overdale Road (Common ash (fraxinus excelsior), magnolia grandiflora, rimu (dacrydium cupressinum), common beech (fagus sylvatica), english oak (quercus robur), silver birch (betulas pendula), totara (podocarpus totara), and pahautea (libocedrus bidwillii)). Discretionary consent required for tree removal. (normal pruning and maintenance of tree health is permitted)

History

Built shortly after the establishment of Putāruru in 1906 this is one of the oldest public buildings in Putāruru.  The building was originally constructed as a school. Classrooms added 1910, 1922, 1926, 1928, 1930, 1935. Three eastern classrooms destroyed by fire in 1945. Additions at rear of building. (HNZPT).