A ray of hope for Cambridge water tower

Tuesday, 5 November 2024

It may not be quite over yet for this historic water tower, as the Waipā District Council weighs up some new options.

Cambridge may not have to say goodbye to its historic water tower just yet as the council investigates a new, more affordable, way to preserve it.

However its final fate may rest on the outcome of a new detailed seismic assessment due to be completed by the end of the year.

At a workshop to discuss financial impacts of projects on the Waipā District Council’s draft 2025-34 Long Term Plan, councillors supported inclusion of both a remove and restore option in the budget.

The landmark but neglected tower has been under threat of demolition due to the cost of bringing it up to a safe standard.

New technologies being explored mean it could potentially be strengthened for about $2 million, a big drop from the original $6 million predicted figure.

Waipā District mayor Susan O’Regan said the council has “pledged to keep an open mind about the future of the water tower”.

“We know how much this piece of history means to many people in Cambridge, and we are listening,” O’Regan said.

The possible more affordable strengthening solution for the tower involves a New Zealand-based company with a track record in seismic strengthening for heritage buildings.

The detailed seismic assessment report will gain further understanding of the condition of the tower.

If it confirms the original seismic capacity rating of the structure, preliminary design work will explore potential solutions to strengthen the tower.

“Once we have all the information, both options will be reviewed so we can decide a way forward: to demolish or retain,” O’Regan said.