ORC accused of neglecting eastern side of harbour

The eastern side of Otago Harbour has received "too little attention for too long'' and the Otago Peninsula community had been "largely ignored'' in recent years.

Otago Peninsula Community Board chairwoman Christine Garey made those comments in a submission on the Otago Regional Council's draft 2016-17 annual plan yesterday.

Mrs Garey told a council hearing panel in Dunedin that half the board's overall submission dealt with harbour-related matters.

It had been a matter of "much frustration'' to peninsula residents they had been "largely ignored'' in recent years, and both the community and board felt their area had received "too little attention''.

But she praised more recent efforts by the ORC to build closer links, which the board "really appreciates'', she said.

"It feels like you've been listening, which is fantastic.''

In a wide-ranging submission, the board highlighted the importance of the Te Rauone Beach rock breakwater and sand nourishment project.

This project was the board's "top priority'' and the board supported the work of the Te Rauone Beach Coast Care Committee and its "considerable efforts'' to ensure the project was completed.

And it was crucial the ORC collaborated with the Dunedin City Council in a "positive working relationship'' to achieve the best outcome over this matter.

The board submission also highlighted several key topics raised in its submission last year on the ORC's 2015-25 long-term plan. These matters included support for establishing a "dedicated harbour master'' for the Otago Harbour, and advocacy for dredging the harbour's eastern channel.

A review and upgrade of harbour navigational markers, for safety reasons, was also suggested.

The board suggested the ORC needed to work with local boating clubs and Coastguard Dunedin to identify "especially shallow areas'' that might be able to be addressed in the short term.

The board also highlighted issues with biosecurity and urged greater co-operation between the ORC, DCC and Doc to provide a "concentrated and collegiate approach'' to pest plant issues on the peninsula.

Among other submissions, Graeme Wall, for Yachting New Zealand, supported plans to establish the role of a dedicated harbour master. The harbour master should be given a "clear mandate'' to work closely with recreational users of the harbour and not just commercial operators, such as Port Otago, he said.

Both moorings and boat sheds brought "a very distinctive and positive character'' to the Otago Harbour, and he urged establishing a "realistic consenting fee'' for related activity.

Compliance costs involving boat sheds and moorings should be kept at a "realistic and consistent level, keeping in mind that we are neither Auckland, nor the Bay of Islands''.

john.gibb@odt.co.nz

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement