The members of the six community boards in Dunedin have been sworn in and are set to advocate for their constituents. Shawn McAvinue and Margot Taylor ask those who chair the boards the three biggest issues facing them.
Mosgiel Taieri Community Board
● Traffic congestion
● Infrastructure capacity
● Active leisure projects
Board chairwoman Sarah Nitis said population growth in Mosgiel had created a need for roading improvements to deal with the increase in traffic congestion.
The greatest area of concern was Gordon Rd, especially at the intersections of Hagart-Alexander Dr and Burns St.
The congestion at the intersection of Quarry Rd and Gladstone Rd also needed to be addressed.
The board would work with the Dunedin City Council to determine its vision for the growing population in Mosgiel and Outram.
The board wanted the council to reveal the impact the increase in the number of dwellings in the suburbs was having on the existing infrastructure, such as traffic congestion, and how it planned to increase the infrastructure to meet demand.
The board would lobby for the council to fund more "active leisure projects", such as the aquatic facility in Mosgiel and "urban walkways" including between Wingatui Rd and Hagart-Alexander Dr.
The road between Mosgiel and Outram needed to be more user-friendly for cyclists but the board would not be lobbying for cycleways in the area, she said.
Otago Peninsula Community Board chairman Paul Pope has promised to continue the work to protect Te Rauone Beach. Photo: Christine O'Connor.
Otago Peninsula Community Board
● Road-widening
● Te Rauone Beach
● Highcliff Rd
Board chairman Paul Pope said the board would work to progress the road-widening project between Vauxhall and Taiaroa Head for the next two years.
The project would cause travel disruptions for constituents so the board would work on managing traffic issues, such as finding ways to get residents to school and work.
The community had been working "long and hard" with Port Otago on the Te Rauone Beach breakwater project to protect the beach from erosion.
A reason for the erosion was believed to be from ships’ wakes washing sand away.
A breakwater would reduce the wave action and "help trap sand" and improve the beach.The board was seeking a resolution to the project and the board would support the community to ensure it happened.
The board would lobby for the repair of the "two-car slip" in Highcliff Rd at Pukehiki and push for an investigation on land stability in the area.
"We are very keen to see the council push ahead with that Highcliff Rd repair.
"It’s important for the community but it’s also important for tourism."
Saddle Hill Community Board chairman Scott Weatherall sees roading as a priority. Photo: Peter McIntosh.
Saddle Hill Community Board
● Safer roads
● Cycleways
● Community engagement
Board chairman Scott Weatherall said the board would work to make roads safer for its constituents.
The issue included "traffic flow and delays" at the Green Island intersection where Brighton and Main South Rds meet.
Another issue was the number of vehicles "drifting" off the road at Allanton-Scroggs Hill Rd.
"Fortunately, there hasn’t been any significant injuries but there is real potential for injuries."
The previous board members had "lobbied" for safety improvements and the new board would ensure that work was progressed.
Designs to improve the intersections were being drawn up and would soon be presented to the council.
"That’s exciting."
The board would lobby for the creation of cycleways between Mosgiel and Fairfield via Morris Rd and along the Southern Scenic Route between Waldronville and Taieri Mouth.
The board would continue to try to engage with the community on its concerns.The engagement would include "conversation and cuppa" sessions and open community meetings, "to hear what people want us to represent them on".
Strath Taieri Community Board
● Road maintenance.
● Sutton suspension bridge.
● Middlemarch Swimming Pool.
Chairman Barry Williams said road maintenance was his biggest concern.
The board would work to ensure the council maintained roads in the area, including weed control.
Road improvements such as seal extensions would be great but the board would not lobby for them because the cost could impact on ratepayers.
"I’d be happy if we don’t have a drop in the level of service to our shingle roads."
The board wants the council to fix the Sutton suspension bridge so it can handle its loading capacity of 19 tonnes.
Since August 2015, the bridge users have been restricted to loads under five tonnes until the council repaired the structure.
"I think the delays are shocking and what’ll happen is they’ll say: ‘If you’ve gone without it for a year you don’t need it’, so that’s a project I’d like to see completed in the next three months."
The board would work to ensure there was enough funding to keep the Middlemarch Swimming Pool open.
"Funding for swimming pools is a problem everywhere — but I still think it’s good to have all the kids swimming."
Waikouaiti Coast Community Board
● Forestry replanting.
● Freedom camping.
● Transfer station.
Chairman Alasdair Morrison said the board would work to ensure the replanting of mostly natives on the former pine plantation by the beach in Matanaka Dr at Waikouaiti.
"We are in a clean-up and replanting phase so there is a wee bit of work to be done."
The closure of the "Waikouaiti tip" started a project to implement a transfer station in the district.
"We are looking at what the future holds for the future of the Waikouaiti waste disposal."
For the project, the board was investigating rubbish removal in other communities.
Freedom camping was an ongoing issue in the area, such as the "sheer volume" of freedom campers in Warrington.
He supported freedom camping and encouraged residents to be hospitable towards them but there needed to be the infrastructure to cater for them.
"It’s something that is not going away. There are more and more tourists coming to the country and we have to cater for that influx."
If a community banned freedom campers, then tourists would park camper vans where they pleased and "poo in the bushes".
"Which is not what you want, so you provide decent facilities for them."
West Harbour Community Board
● Cycleway development.
● Maintenance of sycamores along SH88.
● Contractor maintenance of West Harbour.
West Harbour Community Board chairman Steve Walker said the board hoped to work together in a collegial way to achieve positive outcomes for the West Harbour community.
Following the representation review, it was imperative boards continued to remind the council of the role played by community boards in giving all citizens a voice.
"We also lay down a challenge to all councillors that with abolition of the ward system they are responsible for representing the whole city and not just central-city interests."
The board would be "very disappointed" if the cycleway was not completed all the way to Port Chalmers within three years.
"Dunedin will also lose out on a wonderful opportunity if this much needed piece of infrastructure falls off of the radar."
