Money fast tracked to save historic Ferrymead's Cob Cottage

The Ferrymead Cob Cottage suffered significant damage in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake and is in need of repair.

Ferrymead's Cob Cottage has been given a $30,000 lifeline to stop it deteriorating.

The money has been fast tracked after Linwood-Central-Heathcote Ward councillors Sara Templeton and Yani Johanson argued it was needed urgently.

A total of $300,000 which was earmarked for the repair had been deferred out to 2020/21 in the proposed draft Annual Plan.

However, Cr Templeton and Cr Johanson asked for the repair of the cottage to be brought forward to 2019.

Cr Templeton said the extra $30,000 will ensure the building is secured and help stop deterioration until 2019 while also contributing to public consultation and consent
costs.

The historic cottage was significantly damaged in the 2011 earthquakes and repairs were put on hold until Ferrymead Bridge could be fixed.

She said the cottage has been a marker in the community for many years and with the Coastal Pathway so close, more people will be able to see how early pioneers lived in the Ferrymead area.

The work done to the cottage will need to be consulted on but there is no time frame for that yet, she said.

Christchurch Heritage Trust chairwoman Dr Anna Crighton said she was delighted to hear the plans were brought forward and the cottage is going to be repaired.

"I'm very pleased they're going to repair it . . . we need reminders from before the earthquake, particularly Cob Cottage."

The cottage was built by James Penfold in the early 1860s.

Mr Penfold was an employee for the Ferrymead-Christchurch railway line and helped in the construction of Lyttelton Tunnel.

The building has a shingled roof, wooden casement windows and a plank door. The house was rebuilt in the 1940s.