Subdivision plan comes with cat ban

David Benson-Pope
David Benson-Pope
A Dunedin landowner is offering a cat ban as part of a move to protect a prominent, bush-clad part of Otago Peninsula.

The offer from landowner David Parker came at a Dunedin City Council's hearings committee meeting yesterday, as he sought consent to subdivide his property at 640 Portobello Rd.

The request is opposed by council staff, who have recommended consent be declined amid concerns it could set an undesirable precedent.

Mr Parker told yesterday's hearing he and wife Shirley had been working for nearly 20 years to encourage regeneration of native bush on his Grassy Point property near Broad Bay.

The work, following previous owners' efforts, included clearing pine trees, gorse and broom, shooting rabbits and trapping possums and rats, he said.

The property was now one of the few areas of regenerating native bush - including totara and lacebark trees - extending down to the water on the harbour side of the peninsula, he said.

It was also home to an increasing variety of birdlife, from bellbirds and tui to visiting sea birds, he said.

As a result, Mr Parker's subdivision application included a proposal to a seek a covenant from the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust, protecting the bush.

QEII trust coastal Otago representative Robin Thomas had visited the site and agreed it was ''definitely worthy of protection'', Mr Parker told the hearing.

However, the covenant - or an alternative area of significant conservation value (ASCV) - would be part of a ''package'' also including permission to subdivide his land, Mr Parker told the hearing.

Mr Parker's home and an outlying studio building were on the 3.7ha rural property, which included the bush-clad area sloping down to Portobello Rd.

Mr Parker wanted to split land around the studio into a separate lot and allow its residential use, while placing the covenant over the bush-clad area.

Mr Parker also offered to accept a no-cats condition, covering both lots, to address concerns about other sensitive wildlife areas located nearby.

That addressed a concern raised by Save the Otago Peninsula (Stop) spokeswoman Lala Frazer, who wanted a no-cats rule to prevent future owners bringing their pets into the area.

However, committee member Cr David Benson-Pope questioned Mr Parker's offer of a covenant, pointing out it did not require a subdivision.

Council planner Darryl Sycamore also worried granting consent for the undersized subdivision would encourage other landowners to seek the same.

Mr Parker denied that, arguing exceptional circumstances, while consulting surveyor Nigel Pitts, representing Mr Parker, urged the committee to support landowners ''who go out of their way to actually improve the environment''.

The hearing adjourned for a site visit yesterday afternoon, but would resume early next month.

-chris.morris@odt.co.nz

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