Asbestos prevents theatre inspection, delays demolition

Tuesday, 30 January 2024

Timaru’s former Majestic Theatre building is one of a row of buildings set for demolition in the town’s CBD.

The demolition of Timaru’s vacant Majestic Theatre has been delayed due to asbestos issues, while a developer keen on exploring if it’s worth saving says he is still hoping to get inside the building.

The demolition was to go out to tender in October, under a proposed timeline that was included in information submitted to the Timaru District Council by Timaru District Holdings Ltd (TDHL), when it applied for a demolition consent for the former theatre and three neighbouring buildings.

The contract to demolish was to be awarded in December, with work getting underway in February. This is yet to happen.

When applying for the consent, TDHL and consultant planner Novo Group said the timeline could not be confirmed with certainty due to a number of variables.

“It’s not straightforward,” TDHL chief executive Frazer Munro said on Monday, explaining the delay.

“The property manager is looking at options to get rid of asbestos; you have to have a special licence to remove it. We’re trying to find the best way to remove it.

“Hopefully we can start [demolition] in the first half of this year.”

He said the asbestos was in the theatre’s wall linings.

Timaru property owner and developer Gaire Thompson, of Nelson, had expressed an interest in saving the Majestic Theatre building and wanted to inspect its interior.

A rear view of the Majestic Theatre building for which TDHL has received non-notified consent to demolish. The theatre opened in 1929.

Thompson said due to the presence of asbestos, this had been ruled out by TDHL.

“I only got to see the shops on either side, one was a shop with a warehouse and an old flat upstairs; it could be done up. If you get them for the right price, they can be done up.”

He remained keen to view the inside of the former picture theatre in anticipation of a possible offer, and said he was advised by TDHL to let them know when would be a suitable time.

“I’ve not heard since. That was before Christmas. I’ll go back to them and ask when it’s possible to look through the theatre.

“I’ll make an offer, probably.“

Property owner and developer Gaire Thompson is still keen to have a look inside the empty Majestic Theatre building.

TDHL advised in its demolition resource application to the council, which was granted non-notified, that because of a range of factors, any consent for redevelopment of the cleared site might not be applied for until mid-to-late 2025.

This redevelopment would see the construction of a temporary green space. Under its initial timeline, work on a green area was to start from April this year and opened to the public in August, with the land then marketed for possible commercial development.

The sympathetic update of a heritage home ensures there are many reminders of its storied past

TDHL bought the buildings in 2018 for $1.7m.

Novo Group described them as being in “a poor state of repair”, apart from 105 Stafford St which was “in a reasonable state of repair”.

Last year, Timaru urban design expert Nigel Gilkison called on the council to put a stop to plans to demolish the buildings which he said should be included in the council’s CBD regeneration plans.

The buildings were not included on the council’s District Plan heritage list.