Brenda Harwood looks at highlights from the final West Harbour Community Board meeting for this triennium.
Funds returned
In June, West Harbour Community Board allocated $1500 from its Project Fund to Long Beach Amenities Society towards installing a heat pump at Long Beach Hall.
However, governance support officer Wendy Collard told the board the funds had been returned after Port Otago donated its museum heat pumps to the hall.
This meant the board’s project fund for the 2022/23 year would be $11,500 instead of the usual $10,000.
The board also renewed its monthly expenditure of $125 for advertisements in the Rothesay News.
Speed limits
Schools in the West Harbour area were being canvassed about school speed zones and the board was preparing a submission for the DCC Interim Speed Management Plan, board chairwoman Francisca Griffin said.
Education liaison Kristina Goldsmith had visited schools and heard the main problem was the number of cars stopping outside school gates, with teachers needing to ensure children were safely crossing the road to cars. An important question was, why weren’t more children walking to school, she said.
Long Beach Domain
The contentious issue of vehicle access to Long Beach Domain arose at the meeting, with retiring board member Trevor Johnson expressing the opinion that council’s plans to create a car park had created a problem where none existed.
Duncan Eddy sought to table a petition signed by 147 local residents opposing the car park solution, but was unable to do so due to rules around the board’s meeting agenda.
After discussion, he agreed to forward it to council chief executive Sandy Graham.
GSO Wendy Collard said council staff had been asked for a report on the situation, but as they were under enormous pressure, this had been unable to be done in time for the meeting.
Mr Eddy said people were complaining about the large pile of gravel sitting next for the playground and it would be good to get something done about it.
Council Transport group manager Jeanine Benson said she would work on getting the gravel dealt with.
Memorial plaque
The board discussed options for a memorial plaque for former chairwoman Jan Tucker, who died last year, after receiving a verbal offer of support from the Keep Dunedin Beautiful committee.
Cr Steve Walker suggested a memorial could be part of plans for upgrading George St, Port Chalmers, and felt it would be good to have an offer in writing.
