Last October, the Waitematā Local Board resolved to proceed with the restoration and upgrading of the Leys Institute Library and Gymnasium.
2024 was supposed to be the year for obtaining all the necessary consents and getting the detailed plans ready, with a view to work starting in 2025.
However, we were dismayed by Mayor Wayne Brown’s public statements last November that there should not be any more seismic strengthening of council buildings. We sought assurances from council staff and the Waitematā Local Board before Christmas and were told that work was ongoing on the Leys.
Checking with council staff this month, we find that there has been no progress at all. No architect has been engaged and no consents have been sought. We are extremely concerned that the Leys Institute restoration has been halted.
It’s now over four years since the buildings were closed and they are sadly deteriorating as we watch.
Remuera Library, with a lower council heritage listing than the Leys Institute, will soon be closed for seismic strengthening.
What about the Leys? Is Auckland Council shaping up to be guilty of demolition by neglect?
We have encouraged all Friends of Leys Institute members to advocate for the Leys in the Long Term Plan consultation process, which closed on 28 March.
You can show your concern by emailing Mayor Wayne Brown at mayor.wayne.brown@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz Councillor Mike Lee at Mike.Lee@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz and Local Board chairperson Genevieve Sage at Genevieve.Sage@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
You can join the 232 members of Friends of Leys Institute by emailing helen@geary.nz
Helen Geary, Friends of Leys Institute Co-ordinator
M: 021 208 7490
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Published: March 2024