Infrastructure in focus
Chairman Paul Pope opened the meeting with a reflection on recent annual plan deliberation, noting there had been some ‘‘spirited debate’’.
He was pleased to note he believed section one of Te Awa o Ōtākou/the Peninsula Connection Project would likely be included in the Dunedin City Council 2026-27 annual plan.
Mr Pope observed miscommunication and misinformation seemed to come from a broad range of people during the course of the debates.
The reality was, putting aside everything people might think about the Peninsula connection project, the Ōtākou/Harington Point community equally required roading infrastructure to match the 21st century like anybody else, Mr Pope said.
‘‘This has always been about infrastructure.
‘‘Whether or not you think it is a safety project or not, the statistical data shows that the road has statistically become safer than it was prior to the project started.
‘‘It is not a cycleway, it is not a walkway, it is an integrated transport project and ultimately, the greatest users of this are actually motor vehicle drivers.’’
Road safety tops plan
Members discussed updating the board community plan priorities for the 10-year plan.
While the Ōtākou to Harington Point road project remained a top priority, the board discussed placing road safety improvements at Portobello School as the next priority.
Members then agreed moving redevelopment of the former Tomahawk School site up the list as priority two, followed by climate change resilience, delivery of reticulated services, then adding a public toilet at Macandrew Bay.
Mr Pope highlighted the Otago Peninsula Lions Club were raising funds in the hope of building a public barbecue at Macandrew Bay.
He said the site where the club were hoping to build the barbecue, by the edge of the carpark, could be the perfect place to put public toilets.
Submissions ratified
The board retrospectively ratified its submissions to the Dunedin City Council annual plan and the Otago Regional Council public transport plan.
Grants approved
Board members considered multiple funding applications from its remaining fund balance of $2680.
The board approved providing $500 towards new library books for Portobello School, $600 towards plantings at the Portobello pump track, $500 towards the Portobello Community Inc newsletter, $600 towards a board project to install ‘‘litter libraries’’ at local beaches.
The remaining funds of $480 will be given to the Lions Club’s barbecue project.
Local issues raised
Board representation and roles members provided verbal updates on their respective areas.
They discussed community garden successes in Harwood, road grading in the back bays and traffic management around the Portobello School slip repair.
Members also raised concerns about overgrown trees blocking visibility on a corner near Papanui Inlet.
Feedback from the recent biodiversity and tourism forum hosted by the board, highlighted the need for better communication with operators regarding planned road closures.
Reorganisation discussed
City councillor Mickey Treadwell reported on a regional reorganisation survey and the Department of Internal Affairs head start process for local government amalgamations.
‘‘It is a low information environment, I would say.’’
There had not been a lot of guidance around what the reorganisation should look like beyond a few criteria, such as plans must be deliverable by 2028, should aim to improve efficiencies, reduce the number of services and should address the ability to deliver housing, Cr Treadwell said.
Slip trial proposed
In his chairman’s report Mr Pope reported on potential trials for re-vegetating slip areas on Portobello Rd.
One area is where macrocarpa trees had been removed by Howard St and another area was near Glenfalloch, where there was an old slip.
He said Lox Kellas would continue his voluntary role of board support for community response and civil defence emergency management.
