Feedback sought on land

Opera House Trust members (from left) Metiria Turei, Anita DeSoto, Trici Robertson, Sue Stephenson and Christopher Robinson are hoping people will enjoy a picnic spot they are creating on trust land in Doctors Point Rd in Waitati. PHOTOS: SIMON HENDERSON

Trustee Metiria Turei said the trust managed 0.8ha (about 8000sq m) of land beside Doctors Point Rd.

The parcel was formed in 1998 when Gary Pearson, who owned the land, sold it to the trust so it could operate it for community purposes.

An eclectic house on the site built by Bruce Sheppard was named The Opera House because of a memorable musical party that took place many years ago, and that became the name of the trust.

Three sections were owned by the trust, Mrs Turei said.

A section on Doctors Point Rd was being turned into a rest and respite space for locals and visitors enjoying the nearby estuary boardwalk.

The site included a number of flowering plants including rhododendrons, camellias, fuchsias and lace bark.

"It is really beautiful seeing all the flowers coming out," Mrs Turei said.

Funding from the Dunedin City Council and the Otago Community Trust was helping cover costs for the repair of two community sculptures, gardening labour and equipment to clear and chip felled trees, removing dilapidated buildings at the site and restoring a community space.

"It is a beautiful garden space, so we are slowly tidying it up."

It was hoped a second section back from the road could be used for social housing.

Trustee Anita DeSoto said a few months ago the trust had to end tenancies due to the condition of two houses on the section.

Creative aspects beside The Opera House are being recovered and preserved to reflect the artistic and community heritage of the site.

People had been living in substandard accommodation for a very long time, and some people had been upset when told they had to move on.

"We had to give them notice because it was very, very unsafe habitation," Ms DeSoto said.

Mrs Turei said the trust was still committed to social and low-income housing because that was where the greatest need was in the town.

The trust would be starting a community engagement process in January or February next year.

"We will be inviting the Blueskin community to come and talk to us about what they would like to see happen here."

Trustee Trici Robertson said as well as housing, hosting art and performance events, fringe festival events or sculpture events had been discussed.

A third section extends towards the Orokonui Estuary, and trustee Christopher Robinson said one of the objectives there was to work with surrounding landowners to promote native regeneration.

Mrs Turei said another project was to honour the history of Waitati’s colourful past of "eccentrics and creatives".

In the 1970s and ’80s it was known as the hippy centre of the country and even published its own alternative living magazine called Mushroom.

"We want to research it and archive it," Mrs Turei said.

The trust was inviting people to email operahousetrust@gmail.com if they had stories or archive material about the site.

"We want to hear from people involved at that time because we are sure there are great stories to be told about it," Mrs Turei said.