The primary options will involve information, guidance, incentives, ownership possibilities and rules. Often the appropriate method will be a combination of all five options.
Options need to align with the significance of the place and the primary risks or threats. As an example, a heritage building that is experiencing long term neglect may be assisted by a grant for repair and maintenance. District plan rules alone are not sufficient to address issues such as neglect.
Incentives are generally needed to encourage good management practice by owners of heritage places. Relatively modest incentives, such as architectural advice, waiver of consent fees, funds to assist private owners, and publicity, can generate changes in the attitude of communities towards heritage and in the practice of heritage management. Incentives complement plan regulation and they tend to sit outside the district plan. The following is relevant:
- Consider incentives as part of the s32 RMA process preceding the plan review to identify and assess the benefits and costs of the environmental, economic, social, and cultural effects that are anticipated from the implementation of the provisions. This is particularly important as s32 evaluations are required to quantify the benefits and costs of provisions, where practical, due to the amendments in the Resource Management Reform Act 2013. A Heritage Strategy or related process can balance incentives with regulation.
- Consider applying levels of financial incentives to the listing of a heritage place in the district plan, through a system that ranks heritage value. Be clear how the incentives will be applied.
Ongoing political commitment to financial assistance will help ensure that heritage objectives continue progressing in the long term. Reporting progress to council in terms of the effects of incentives is important to maintain support.
