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‘WORLD HERITAGE STATUS FOR GOTHIC REVIVAL CHRISTCHURCH?’
Dr Ian Lochhead, a world authority on Gothic Revival architecture and the author of a book on Christchurch’s own greatest Gothic Revival architect, Benjamin Mountfort, will deliver an address on
‘WORLD HERITAGE STATUS FOR GOTHIC REVIVAL CHRISTCHURCH?’
on Tuesday 31 August, at 8 p.m.
in the Great Hall of the Arts Centre.
The meeting is being arranged jointly by Save Our Arts Centre (SOAC) and Inner City Operation Neighbourhood (ICON).
Ian will discuss what UNESCO World Heritage Status means, how designation as a World Heritage Site is secured and argue the case for Christchurch’s incomparable Gothic Revival buildings, as a group, to receive that high honour.
This stimulating lecture will make you better informed about one of the next steps that SOAC and others concerned about the long-term future of the Arts Centre will take in their ongoing endeavours to save the Arts Centre from inappropriate development.
To cover various costs, including the cost of hiring the Great Hall, there will be a cover charge for the lecture of $5 for adults and $2 for senior citizens and students.

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STALL HOLDERS FACE REMOVAL FROM MARKET SQUARE

The stall holders at the Arts Centre Market are very concerned about the plans to move the market back to the North and South Quadrangles, which was unsatisfactory in the past. They have set up a petition against the move. Copies can be downloaded form their website.
SOAC also has grave concerns about the move, not only because it signals further development plans by the Board but because stalls within the quadrangles pose a threat of damage to the heritage buildings from vehicles moving in and out to move goods.

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Amended Hereford Street View The proposed music school which was turned down by the Commissioners

Archive of Articles Relating to the

proposed Music School

[ click here ]

Save Our Arts Centre began in July 2009 when Richard Sinke of the Dux de Lux invited a group of people who shared concerns about the proposal to build a music school for the University of Canterbury at the Arts Centre of Christchurch to meet on a regular basis to exchange information and ideas. From this informal grouping the idea grew that a more formal society should be formed which would not only fight the current proposal, but would continue to take an interest in how the Arts Centre is managed for the benefit of the people of Christchurch.

The Society was formally incorporated in October 2009. The main objects of the Society are to benefit the community by:

(a) Protecting and securing to the Members of the Society and the people of Christchurch their rights, entitlements and interests in the social, cultural, heritage, historical, public open space and public amenity benefits of the Arts Centre of Christchurch (the “Arts Centre”) as gifted to the people of Christchurch.

(b) Supporting the campaign to acquire United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation World Heritage Status for the collection of gothic revival buildings (including the Arts Centre) in Christchurch.

(c) Promoting the New Zealand ICOMOS Charter for the Conservation of Places of Cultural

Heritage Value.

Download the full Constitution here.

Needless to say, our focus so far has been on protecting and securing the Arts Centre.

We ran an information campaign aimed at getting factual information and expert opinion into the public arena. This has included establishing this website, writing opinion pieces in the newspapers, letters to the editor and interviews on radio and television.
We successfully campaigned for the Council to hold a consultation on the proposed funding by Council. Although this was limited to issues of financing it provided an opportunity for many to participate and gained us valuable time to better inform the public about the issues.
We used the Ombudsman's powers to successfully demand the release of key financial information, including the amount of the proposed City Council loan of $24.3 million, which had been withheld by the Council from the public.
We made very strong submissions to the Council consultation. Some Councillors changed from their previous support for the proposal, but not quite enough. In the end the vote was 7-6 to grant the loan.
We ran a petition against the proposal signed by over 4500 people. Unfortunately this did not sway the Council.
We filed a claim in the High Court to challenge the validity of the changes made to the Trust Deed by the Arts Centre Trust Board, as well as the validity of the Council decision because of predetermination. We have withdrawn that claim since since the Resource Consent application failed.
We filed for an interim injunction to prevent the Resource Consent hearing from taking place until the above issues have been resolved in the High Court. We did not succeed in preventing the hearing but we were successful in getting a the subdivision application notified.
We presented evidence before the Commissioners on the Resource Consent application and were successful in having the Resource Consent turned down.

SOAC works closely with other like-minded organisations such as the Christchuch Civic Trust and ICON.

Save Our Arts Centre

Save Our Arts Centre
Email: help@soac.org.nz
Phone: (03) 366-6918
Fax: (03) 366-5341

Postal:
Save Our Arts Centre
C/- Dux De Lux
PO Box 150
Christchurch

To become a member of SOAC, (an incorporated society), please send $25.00 per person.

Either: Send to SOAC, PO Box 150, Christchurch with name, address and email
Or: direct banking 38 9009 0853764 00. Please put ‘M’ in front of your name and initial as a reference, e.g. MHercus. A. By putting ‘M’ in front of your name, we can identify you as paying a membership fee.

Any donation – large or small - to support the continuing fight is most welcome.

Either: Send to SOAC, PO Box 150, Christchurch with name, address and email
Or: direct banking 38 9009 0853764 00. Please give us your name and initial as a reference, e.g. Hercus. A.

Expertise, e.g. typing or graphic design?
Other skills, e.g. writing articles
Prepared to collect signatures against for the petition?
Anything else you can

Just contact us through one of the ways listed on the right hand side of the page