Fires of fury at old station

BY NICHOLAS BOYACK - HUTT NEWS

Neighbours of the distinctive Waterloo Fire Station are increasingly concerned about its condition.

The old station was last year sold to the Treaty Settlements Office for $1.3 million. The building has been empty since firefighters were relocated to a modern new station in Avalon three years ago.

The Waterloo Rd building is in a poor state, with numerous broken windows. Taggers have hit the walls.

Hutt Area commander Peter Bean says the Fire Service gets occasional calls from people concerned about the state of the building, but it no longer has anything to do with them.

One neighbour told us it was a great shame to see the elegant station in such poor state and neighbours would like to know what is going on.

"You never know - they might turn it in to a brothel! No one seems to know and I would be interested to find out more."

Her neighbour, Kevin Duggan, says local residents are unhappy the building has been left to rot.

"What worries me about the whole thing is the state of it, the broken and boarded up windows, and the overgrown grass. "

"[The station] was always well kept and it was good knowing there were firemen there 24 hours a day."

Mr Duggan has tried to find out what is planned for the site but says it has proved difficult. The land is zoned residential and the most likely scenario, he says, is a sub-division.

While we were taking photos last week we were approached by a resident who said the building "is an embarrassment to the city" and the council should take it over.

Mayor David Ogden is annoyed by the way buildings land-banked for treaty settlements are abandoned.

There are a number in Hutt City, notably the now dilapidated Petone College buildings, and he intends to take the issue up with the Government.
Office of Treaty Settlements director Paul James says the former fire station has been offered to Ngati Toa

Rangatira as part of their historical Treaty claim negotiations. If Ngati Toa chooses to, the property will transfer to them on the settlement date, which is likely to be the end of this year.

Ngati Toa could decide to defer purchase for two years and could also decide not to go ahead with buying it.

Mr Jones confirmed that his office is responsible for maintaining the building.