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Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Building ‘beyond economical repair'
Oamaru House in Hanover St. PHOTO: GERARD O'BRIEN A Dunedin hospital patient accommodation building earmarked for demolition is in such a poor condition it is "beyond economical repair", Foodstuffs says. The supermarket giant said its planned demolition of Oamaru House, at 95 Hanover St, to add "much-needed" car parking at New World Centre City was a decision that had not been taken lightly. It announced last month it had lodged applications with the Dunedin City Council for building permits to demolish the building, as well as another structure at 121 Great King St. Operated by the Oamaru House Trust, the volunteer-run facility provides affordable accommodation for patients and their families, particularly those based rurally. Its lease is due to be terminated on October 31. A Foodstuffs South Island spokesperson said it understood Oamaru House held a special place in the community and some people would be disappointed to see it go. As the landlord, it had a responsibility to ensure the spaces it managed were of a reasonable standard for people to live in, the spokesperson said. "A recent building survey unfortunately confirmed that Oamaru House was in particularly poor condition and was beyond economical repair. "That assessment, along with the fact that two floors have remained vacant for over a year, reinforced our decision not to renew leases and to proceed with plans for its removal. "We truly appreciate the community's connection to this site and hope people will understand why we had to make this difficult decision." The spokesperson did not confirm how many carparks the demolition of Oamaru House was expected to generate. Murray Radka, 77, of Alexandra, said he was "appalled" Foodstuffs planned to demolish the site for additional carparks. "What a huge difference it's going to make for thousands of sick people from out of Dunedin who are going to have to make other arrangements." Mr Radka said he had travelled to Dunedin hospital for treatments, including for permanent lung issues, an aneurysm in a carotid artery, prostate cancer, and a rheumatoid arthritic condition — and more recently a hernia surgery. He was often not strong enough to walk long distances unassisted, so relied on his wife, who had mobility problems of her own. If Oamaru House did end up relocating, he could not think of any other site in the vicinity of Dunedin hospital that was as convenient as the current premises. Before he started staying there, Mr Radka said he would book Airbnbs or other private accommodation. But these could be quite a way out of Dunedin and lacked the support services Oamaru House offered, he said. "You can't put a value on a facility like this, and to think that it will be replaced by a few carparks which I think are going to make very little difference to the operation of Foodstuffs." Oamaru House Trust chairman Tony Caldwell said while the decision was disappointing, Foodstuffs had treated the trust well and he did not begrudge them for it. The trust was given notice on May 13. Unless a "very big benefactor" came along, the trust was not in a position to lease or buy another building, Mr Caldwell said. "In all probability, if we'd found another building, it would have required a reasonably significant refit or fit out or improvements made to bring it up to standards, of which we didn't have the finances to be able to do that."
Otago Daily Times
29-05-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Connections to the past discovered through roses
Murray Radka, displaying his book on heritage roses, is to be Guest Speaker at the Heritage Talk on June 4. PHOTO: JULIE ASHER Scattered across old farm sites, along fences and in overgrown paddocks, heritage roses quietly tell stories about New Zealand's past. In Central Otago, these hardy plants often outlast the buildings and people who first planted them, offering a unique way to connect with the region's history. Introduced by early settlers in the 19th century, heritage roses were among the few treasured plants brought from overseas. They were planted next to cottages, miners' huts and homesteads — sometimes as symbols of home, sometimes to mark graves, and sometimes simply for their beauty. While many of those sites have long since disappeared, the roses have endured. The relationship between plants, people, and place is at the heart of the upcoming Heritage Talk, Preserving our History — One Rose at a Time, hosted by the Central Otago Heritage Trust at the Clyde Museum on Wednesday June 4 at 6.30pm. The guest speaker is Murray Radka, a leading rosarian. He has spent many years travelling across the country, tracing the origins of heritage roses and recording their stories. His work highlights the value of these plants as historical markers. In his talk, Mr Radka will explain how roses can help us understand settlement patterns, cultural connections and even personal stories from New Zealand's early communities. "Every old rose has a story. "When we find them today, we're uncovering a part of our history that's both fragile and incredibly resilient. "It's all about the connection with people of the past." Mr Radka will also speak about efforts to preserve rare varieties before they are lost. The talk is open to everyone, from gardeners to history buffs. Booking is essential. Visit to register. Entry is by koha-donation with proceeds going to Clyde Museum.
