Council hopes camp will reopen by Xmas

A Waikouaiti campsite is on track to reopen before Christmas after an archaeological discovery brought upgrade work to a halt, the Dunedin City Council says.

Electrical and water supply upgrades at Waikouaiti Beach Motor Camp were paused in mid-May in line with accidental discovery protocols after part of an old rubbish pit was uncovered.

Parks and recreation manager Heath Ellis said the discovery — which included "an old bottle" — was made during excavations for an infrastructure trench.

"We don’t know the exact age of the find or what else might be in the pit, as work stopped once the discovery was made," Mr Ellis said.

"We’ve followed best practice accidental discovery protocols at the site since the discovery, as well as liaising with mana whenua, and we’re now awaiting an archaeological authority from Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga before work can resume."

He said rumours the camp would not reopen were incorrect and the council hoped work would begin again in time for the camp to reopen before Christmas.

ruby.shaw@odt.co.nz