What you need to know as the owner of a heritage building. This page includes useful information on resource consents, building maintenance, and adaptive re-use of heritage buildings.
This section contains important guidance on what you need to know as the owner of a heritage building. It includes basic information on resource consents, maintenance, and best practice principles. There are several ways we can assist the owners of heritage buildings including advice, support and financial incentives.
Helping you through the process
The DCC recognises that good planning and sound information are essential for successful heritage projects. We can provide some free advice to help you in planning your heritage project, whatever the scale. If you are considering upgrading your heritage windows and doors, repainting, re-roofing or redeveloping your building entirely, we are here to provide informed heritage advice and support. We also encourage informal, pre-application meetings to discuss your options and best ways forward when you are considering work on a heritage building or structure.
We know that owners of larger heritage buildings often face a complex range of challenges when it comes to working through the resource consent and building consent process. A consistent relationship can be key to resolving the many issues. In recognition of this, Dunedin City Council can bring together a heritage project team consisting of a Building Control Officer, Resource Consent Planner and Heritage Advisor to work with applicants during the consent process.
To discuss whether this team approach is appropriate for your project, please contact the Heritage Advisor 03 477 4000 or heritage@dcc.govt.nz.
Heritage Information for owners
Dunedin's unique heritage character is built on the significant number of historic commercial, industrial and residential buildings in the city. These places give the city a sense of permanence and dignity, and illustrate the city's rich past. While Dunedin is renowned for its collection of Victorian and Edwardian buildings, it is also home to significant examples of Art Deco, Arts and Crafts and Modern architecture. All of these combine to give our city is distinctive visual character and identity.
The DCC has several sources of information for heritage building owners to learn and understand more about their special places. A good place to start is the DCC Archives service who can access property records, mapping, photographic and other historic sources held by the DCC. Contact 03 474 3553 or email archives@dcc.govt.nz.
If you require a LIM (Land Information Memorandum) for your property then follow this link.
Toitū Otago Settlers Museum has a comprehensive social history archive that includes an excellent photographic archive. To access their research centre, follow the link here
The Dunedin Public Libraries Heritage Library contains a vast array of heritage-related resources and collections. This includes the Dunedin and Otago Newspapers Collection.
Other sources of heritage information: