What we doAs well as advocating the preservation and improvement of our important buildings and spaces, the Civic Trust makes submissions to the Timaru District Council for their various plans, and other major civic projects. We have conducted guided tours of Timaru’s interesting places and buildings, hosted public lectures and seminars, and assisted in the development of local ‘Heritage Trails.’
Aims and ObjectivesToday, the Timaru Civic Trust works to promote and encourage:
|
The Timaru Civic Trust was born out of growing apprehension at the loss of significant architectural heritage in the heart of the city. The loss of the Ballantynes building, the Canterbury Farmers Cooperative Association building, and the threat posed to the Landing Service Building brought matters to a head for concerned residents. A public meeting held in July 1985 resolved to form a Trust, along the lines of the successful Christchurch Civic Trust, to try and counter this trend. A local board was elected, and subsequently a formal constitution drafted.
As of February 1986 the Timaru Civic Trust is legally incorporated under the Charitable Trusts Act 1957. Membership is open by subscription, and the board members are elected annually. |
Landing Service Building
The largest project the Civic Trust has undertaken to date is the rescue and renovation of the historic Landing Service Building.
Before the Port of Timaru was developed, ships moored at Timaru because it provided a semblance of safe anchorage in a difficult section of coastline. Ships were able to unload offshore into surf boats which were run then ashore. This landing services link was pivotal in establishing European settlement in the region. When the provincial government took over and subsequently charged excessive fees for poor performance, an opposing landing service was established in the building we know now. However, when the railway line was constructed and the coast line expanded as Timaru’s port was developed, the use of the building for landing services declined.
For the best part of a century thereafter the impressive two storey bluestone building was used for storage until 1984 when the Timaru District Council purchased the land for additional car parking. Recognising that it was the only landing service building still standing in New Zealand, the newly formed Timaru Civic Trust moved to protect the building from demolition by completing a comprehensive feasibility study for its restoration and re-use. The Trust also worked to ensure that the heritage factors embodied in the whole site were well known publicly.
In 1989 the Trust procured the Landing Service Building from the council for $1.00 securing its future and establishing its status as an integral asset to Timaru which is fully utilised for both commercial and community purposes.
Before the Port of Timaru was developed, ships moored at Timaru because it provided a semblance of safe anchorage in a difficult section of coastline. Ships were able to unload offshore into surf boats which were run then ashore. This landing services link was pivotal in establishing European settlement in the region. When the provincial government took over and subsequently charged excessive fees for poor performance, an opposing landing service was established in the building we know now. However, when the railway line was constructed and the coast line expanded as Timaru’s port was developed, the use of the building for landing services declined.
For the best part of a century thereafter the impressive two storey bluestone building was used for storage until 1984 when the Timaru District Council purchased the land for additional car parking. Recognising that it was the only landing service building still standing in New Zealand, the newly formed Timaru Civic Trust moved to protect the building from demolition by completing a comprehensive feasibility study for its restoration and re-use. The Trust also worked to ensure that the heritage factors embodied in the whole site were well known publicly.
In 1989 the Trust procured the Landing Service Building from the council for $1.00 securing its future and establishing its status as an integral asset to Timaru which is fully utilised for both commercial and community purposes.
