SOUTH Taranaki District Council has given the go ahead for earthquake strengthening work on five buildings.
They are the Hunter Shaw building in Patea, the Hawera Water Tower, Hawera Memorial Theatre Auditorium, Eltham Town Hall and Manaia Town Hall.
It is proposed that the Hunter Shaw Building be strengthened at a cost of $350,000; the Hawera Memorial Theatre Auditorium will cost $180,000-$200,000; Hawera Water Tower will cost $20,000-30,000; the Eltham Town Hall $120,000-$50,000 and the Manaia Town Hall $140,000-$170,000.
No firm plans have been made for the Hawera Memorial Hall.
Council has asked for a report looking at options, costs of strengthening and usage.
In Patea, huge support from the community to retain the building meant the demolition of the Hunter Shaw Building was not recommended.
Built in 1930, it is registered in the council's District Plan as the Patea Library and Plunket rooms and is registered with Heritage NZ as a category two building.
The planned $350,000 works programme does not include any allowance for the Plunket Rooms and the flat attached to the Hunter Shaw Building.