Otago Peninsula Community Board

Treetop Dr residents Charlotte Meyer (left) and Amanda Mclean say the lack of a footpath in part of Allans Beach Rd could cause a fatal accident if not addressed. PHOTO: SIMON HENDERSON

Bullies on bus

Bad behaviour means some children are avoiding using the school bus.

During the public forum of the last Otago Peninsula Community Board meeting, Senior Constable Aaron Smith said bullying and vaping on the bus had been reported to him and a local school.

"We need to get on board with this because there are whanau that are not sending their children on the bus, which is really sad to me."

Some children had experienced constant bullying, and there had been one incident when a young boy smashed a window on the bus.

Snr Const Smith said he was discussing the issue with school bus operator Ritchies and with local school principals.

"Something needs to be done because it is getting worse."

Trust seeking funds for track

Funds could help create a new destination for tourists.

During the public forum of the last Otago Peninsula Community Board meeting, Hereweka – Harbour Cone Trust member Marcia Dale said it was asking for funds to enable people to more easily enjoy the 328ha publicly owned property.

"We want to extend the walking track so that you can get right from Portobello all the way up to the top of Harbour Cone."

The trust was hoping to create an extension of the Hereweka St track as well as a track near where Hoopers Inlet Rd meets Allans Beach Rd.

The trust was seeking about $3000 to install signs, stiles and marker posts, and Ms Dale said the walking track could help attract tourists as well as locals to enjoy hiking on the rural property.

"The intention is to have it so that it is open to the public, and people can walk straight from Portobello, all the way up to the cone without stepping on a road."

No path for pedestrians

Children on their way to school could be hurt because of the lack of a footpath, residents of Treetop Dr in Portobello say.

During the public forum of the last Otago Peninsula Community Board meeting, resident Charlotte Meyer said the lack of a footpath along a 100m stretch of Allans Beach Rd starting from Treetop Dr down the hill towards Harington Point Rd made it unsafe for pedestrians.

"It is actually really dangerous along that stretch of road."

The corner of Treetop Dr and Allans Beach Rd had a blind corner and there had been a few "near misses", she said.

"I just want to put it to the community that we would like to try to do something about it and make it safer for our community."