Trust urges input for Sarjeant consent process
Published on 06 June 2014
6 June 2014
Mayor Annette urges the community to recognise the benefits of the Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua’s redevelopment project.
Businesses, community organisations and members of the public are being urged to make submissions which recognise the benefits of the redevelopment project planned for the historic Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua.
The resource consent process for earthquake strengthening and extending the Queen’s Park building is currently under way, with submissions closing on June 13. An independent commissioner will hear submissions and set conditions for any consent.
Sarjeant Gallery Trust member Mayor Annette Main said submissions demonstrating community support for the project would be an important ingredient in the consent process.
“The benefits of such a significant construction project in our city will have a big impact on the local economy over a period of some years, so the Trust is confident businesses and community organisations will put their weight behind the Council’s application for resource consent,” Ms Main said.
She said the district’s cultural heritage was a key point of difference and the Sarjeant Gallery had provided a focus for that heritage since it opened in 1919.
“It’s a nationally significant Category 1 heritage building and the treasures in the Sarjeant collection have national and international importance. Sadly, there’s a very high risk of catastrophic damage in a severe earthquake and the building needs a great deal of work to ensure it’s safe for visitors and suitable for both storage and display of the collection.”
The new Sarjeant on the Quay gallery was an excellent short to medium term solution, she said. But the Council and community now needed to refocus on bringing the Queen’s Park building into the 21st century while retaining its essential historic character.
“The significant funding set aside by the Ministry for Arts, Culture and Heritage for the redevelopment project recognises how much the gallery and its collection is valued and appreciated both locally and nationally,” Ms Main said.
“We know this project will be an important catalyst for economic and social benefits and positive support from businesses and the wider community is needed to help attract major funding from outside our district.”
In addition to earthquake strengthening the 1919 building, a new wing designed by award-winning architects would be built at the rear, so there would no change to the existing building’s iconic skyline as viewed from the middle of town.
A fundraising campaign led by the Sarjeant Gallery Trust had identified sources for approximately half the project’s total estimated cost of around $28 million and funding continued to be sought from central government, the Lottery Grants Board, trusts, individual philanthropy and corporate sponsorship.
“The project has the support of the Council and construction will only commence once the required funds have been raised,” said Ms Main.
“The Trust members are experienced and confident. They’re strongly committed to meeting their fundraising targets and ensuring our community gains an outstanding civic amenity which is accessible and useable by all.”
The resource consent application, which includes a full description of the proposal and heritage and environmental assessments, can be viewed online at www.wanganui.govt.nz, at the Wanganui District Council offices, or at the Davis Central City Library or Gonville Cafe Library.
Anyone can make a submission on the application by completing Form 13 online at www.wanganui.govt.nz. Printed copies of Form 13 are available from the Council’s Customer Services Desk, 101 Guyton Street and should be sent to the Chief Executive, Wanganui District Council, PO Box 637. Submissions close at 4.00pm on Friday, 13 June.
To enquire about the resource consent application contact Consultant Planner Brett Osborne on (06) 349 3022.
To learn more about the gallery’s redevelopment project and interim relocation you can pick up the newly launched ‘Help Support Our Sarjeant’ brochure from Sarjeant on the Quay, 38 Taupo Quay; visit www.sarjeant.org.nz; or contact Redevelopment Project Administrator Vivien Lindsay on (06) 349 3138, or at vivien.lindsay@sarjeant.org.nz.