Case Study 5.1: Horowhenua District Council

Heritage incentive programmes do not need to be offered only by large councils. Smaller councils can also take proactive approaches to heritage incentives on a modest scale.

The Horowhenua District Council is a North Island council of around 32,000 residents, with just over 50 heritage places protected in its district plan in addition to two protected town centre areas. Recognising the financial burden of resource consent applications, it offers resource consent fee waivers for owners of heritage buildings, structures and sites listed in the district plan, and those who own property within the Town Centre Heritage and Character Areas of Foxton and Shannon. Waivers are capped at $2000 per application and the council sets aside $20,000 per annum to fund the scheme. To be eligible, resource consents have to be approved by the council.

The council also maintains a Heritage Fund for the same owners. It sets aside $30,000 per annum for heritage grants, prioritised to projects with high visibility and public accessibility, urgent works and/or essential maintenance, repair or stabilisation.

For more information see: www.horowhenua.govt.nz/Council/Plans-Strategies/ District-Plan/Heritage-Incentives#section-1