Tag: Dunedin City Council

Camping Ground for the Peninsula

On By Portobello EditorIn Dunedin, New Zealand, Otago, Otago Peninsula, Peninsula, Portobello, Portobello Community Inc, UncategorizedLeave a comment

 CampThe Dunedin City Council have announced plans to develop a “DoC style” campsite on the Peninsula. In a report in The Star on the 2oth of June a Council spokeswoman announced that  the City Council was investigating sites on the Peninsula, but would not name the sites. In an unusual statement the City Council spokeswoman was quoted as saying “It is not something we are going to do secretly and decide…” Now the question here is if its not a secret and the City Council wanted the process to be “fair and let people know they were considering it” why would the Council not provide the community with all of the relevant information now? Clearly it is a secret and it begs the question of how this proposal might affect community use and recreation on public reserve land for the Peninsula community in the future.

The pressures on the business community to actively ensure that their enterprises are viable in the present economic climate are immense. It’s difficult to fathom why the City Council would explore such an enterprise when it will no doubt unduly affect local accommodation  businesses like that of Sherryl and Kevin Charles in Portobello. What’s even more difficult to understand is why the City Council wish to compete in the accommodation marketplace? Surely if the demand for an additional campsite was required then those with the funding, land and enterprise in the private sector would undertake to develop such a project. To date private sector investment of that type has not been realised. The City Council will be creating a subsidised accommodation business without having to pay a mortgage, rates or development costs. That’s a distinct financial advantage and one that competes directly with the private sector.

Domain

Read the full Star story here….

Changes to Hooper’s Inlet Channel

On By Portobello EditorIn Dunedin, New Zealand, Otago, Otago Peninsula, Peninsula, Portobello, Portobello Community IncLeave a comment

A noticeable increase in width of the channel

The opening of the Hooper’s Inlet channel by the Dunedin City Council on the 6th of June saw a marked change in the water levels within the inlet. Since the opening work was undertaken the Otago Peninsula has been in the grips of a keen storm front that has swept across from the South Island into the central North Island. Accompanying the storm were high seas and tides and it was worth the chilly walk to see how the channel opening had coped since the original opening.

There has been a marked increase in the width of the channel as the eastern edge has eaten into the existing dunes. This has increased the height of the channel upwards of 3-5 metres in places. Typically of storm periods there was significant debris on the beach which had also been pushed into the inlet. Noticeable too has been the increase in water around the old channel position across the beach, though it was difficult to see whether it had reopened back into the sea. There is still extensive water movement in and out of the channel and visitors should be cautious while visiting the area. Certainly the recent tidal and wind conditions along with the water movement have altered the area and it will be interesting to see how the channel changes once the weather calms down into spring and summer. The pictures taken here were at high tide on Sunday the 23rd July. Click on pictures to view in gallery.

Compare the pictures from the initial opening.

High winds blow loose sand across the beach
The easterly movement into the existing dunes
View from the inlet showing the easterly movement
A large log washed up on the inlet edge
Debris field on the inlet side of the dunes
High tide and strong seas

Roading Conditions on the Otago Peninsula

On By Portobello EditorIn Dunedin, New Zealand, Otago, Peninsula, Portobello, Portobello Community Inc, Public NoticesLeave a comment

Important Notice

Received today from the Dunedin City Council, Monday 17th June, 11:30 am.

Harington Point Road between Portobello township and Weir Rd has been closed by a large slip. Peninsula bus services to Harrington Point are cancelled.  All Peninsula services are now terminating at Portobello township. The closure will be in place all day today, overnight, and into tomorrow. It is unknown at this stage when the road will open as slip material continues to come down.

A detour is being put in place (Allan’s Beach Rd , Shepard’s Rd, Papanui Inlet Rd, Weir Rd) but this detour is not suitable or safe for buses.

Services to Palmerston are cancelled due to highway closure.

Updated from the Dunedin City Council Monday 17th June, 5:00pm

Home bound traffic should take extreme care as darkness comes as there is still significant debris falling onto the road.

  • Seaton Rd slip clear
  • Highcliff Rd clear
  • Harrington Point Road still blocked by slipping

Please take extreme care on all Peninsula Roads.

Updated from Portobello Police Tuesday 18th June, 12.30pm

  • Hatchery Rd closed with slips on the Portobello side of the cattle stop with debris coming down from the cliff and the road has slumped on the seaward side. Contractors are on site.
  • Highcliff Road a slump is developing above the Cone-henge property.

Please take extreme care on all Peninsula Roads.

Slip

Hooper’s Inlet Channel Opening

On By Portobello EditorIn Dunedin, New Zealand, Otago, Otago Peninsula, Peninsula, Portobello, Portobello Community IncLeave a comment

The opening of Hooper’s Inlet Channel on Thursday 6th of June by the Dunedin City Council has had a noticeable effect on the water levels of the inlet over the weekend. The Dunedin City Council undertook the work to ensure access over the road was not blocked by flooding. The inlet issue has been one that has inconvenienced back bay residents for some time.

Todays photographs were taken near to high tide and there was significant surge in and out of the newly dug channel. With winter tide and weather conditions it will be interesting to see how effective the work is and whether the old channel also opens up. Visitors to the area should be watchful of the tide conditions and the strength of the water coming in and out of the channel. Click on the photographs to view.

Read Hooper’s Inlet – The Rising Tide

Everyday is a Winding Road – Portobello Road Consultation

On By Portobello EditorIn Dunedin, New Zealand, Otago, Otago Peninsula, Peninsula, Portobello, Portobello Community IncLeave a comment

In March 2013 Portobello Community Incorporated made a submission on the proposed road widening design for Portobello and Harrington Point Roads. That submission detailed a number of issues with the nature of the design and its impact on the community, the landscape and the environment. Because of the importance of this issue to our community the group distributed 600 flyers, added a display to the store and added information to this website. The City Council announced at the March Annual Plan meeting in Portobello that a further consultation meeting would be held so that residents could see proposed changes to the plans and comment further. That meeting is to be held on Monday, May 13th at 7:00pm at the Coronation Hall.

The Council have made some change to the plans, and this is an opportunity to see whether they have understood the initial concerns that the community. The new plans can be viewed at the following link. It is vital that the community see these plans and understand their implications for the future of the township and the Otago Peninsula. If you have friends, neighbours, colleagues and whanau who you feel need to know more about this project come along to the meeting and have your say.

A summary of the project changes since the initial consultation includes;

  • the reclamation of the old stone wall in Latham Bay, Portobello.
  • the burying and moving of the old cannon site from the foreshore.
  • the removal of the planned reclaimed bus stops.
  • the retention of some of the rock outcrops and geological features.

There is still many areas of the plan that need finalising, particularly;

  •  the choice of landscaping treatments.
  • beach access points.
  • the need for proper crossing areas for our children to get to school safely.
  • the use of gabion walls.
  • how the plan deals with the pinch points at the cemetery and township

These and many other issues are things that the community need to have input on so that the design meets the community’s needs. Take the opportunity and have your say.

Hoopers Inlet – The Rising Tide

On By Portobello EditorIn Dunedin, New Zealand, Otago, Otago Peninsula, Peninsula, Portobello, UncategorizedLeave a comment

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The blocked outlet of Hooper’s Inlet has been an issue on the Peninsula for some time now. The issue has been one that has frustrated local residents as the responsibility for its management is volleyed between the Otago Regional Council and the Dunedin City Council. Both local authorities seem hamstrung between their own responsibilities, policy and legislative requirements and a fundamental lack of funding to undertake the work.

The issue of responsibility for opening the inlet seems set to continue if both organisations can’t escape their fear of “precedence” that will bind them to the continued financial management of the inlet in the future. However, that argument seems shallow when compared to the actual number of times physical works to open the channel has been required over the last 25 years. What is certain though is that the road and property assets of the Peninsula are effected by the choking of the channel, which creates difficulties and stresses for many local people. These issues may become more pronounced as we move towards winter. Other concerns also arise in terms of the recreational, water quality, biodiversity and scenic qualities of the inlet  if the current situation continues. All of these factors affect our quality of life and that of our environment.

Funding for the clearance of the channel is at present the most obvious constraint for the Otago Regional Council. The Peninsula community must send a clear message to the Council that this issue needs resolving. Otherwise a simple problem may develop more complex and costly implications if it is not dealt with effectively and meaningfully. Annual Plan submissions for the Otago Regional Council close by 5pm on Friday 3 May 2013, and residents should take the time to voice the needs of their community over the Hooper’s Inlet issue.

You can email, fax or post your submission to;

Email:  annual.plan@orc.govt.nz

Post:    Draft Annual Plan Otago Regional Council Private Bag 1954, Dunedin 9054

Fax:      (03) 479-0015

The forms for submission can be downloaded below.

ORC Handwritten Submission Form Annual Plan

ORC Email Submission Form Annual Plan

Portobello Domain Sports Grounds Rabbit Problem

On By Portobello EditorIn Dunedin, New Zealand, Otago, Otago Peninsula, Peninsula, Portobello, Portobello Community IncLeave a comment

It has been reported in the Otago Daily Times that Portobello Domain sports grounds are unfit for use by the Hereweka Junior Football Club, despite the impending start of the new season. Rabbits have been a constant problem at the domain over the summer, digging into the grounds and creating deep holes that could cause a nasty injury.

The City Council have yet to complete the necessary repairs on the domain and this will  cause problems for the programming of fixtures there. In a small place like Portobello our community needs to have its facilities operating in an appropriate condition and on time, the delay is disappointing.

Read the full Otago Daily Times story here…..

D Scene Reports on Portobello Road Widening

On By Portobello EditorIn Dunedin, New Zealand, Otago, Otago Peninsula, Portobello, Portobello Community IncLeave a comment

D Scene Article

The recent edition of D Scene reported on the submission made by Portobello Community Incorporated on the Dunedin City Council’s proposal to widen Portobello Road and the effect that the proposal will have on the township and its community. Click on the picture  or the link here to read the full D Scene article.

Full Article

 

The Long and Widening Road

On By Portobello EditorIn Dunedin, New Zealand, Otago, Otago Peninsula, Peninsula, Portobello, Portobello Community Inc, Public NoticesLeave a comment

Road Widening Gabion

Last nights Annual Plan consultation meeting in the Coronation Hall was well attended by residents who came to hear more about the Annual Process for 2013-2014. With presentations and discussion with the Mayor, Chief Executive and Council staff there was an opportunity to voice opinions on the road widening project and other issues in our area.

It appears that the road widening for both Harrington Point and Portobello Road appear to be on track to be included in the Annual plan. However, there is still an opportunity for residents to voice their opinions on the design of the proposed widening project.  This is crucial if the road widening proposal is to meet the community’s recreational, conservation and landscape needs. The present configuration for the portion of widening between Bacon Street and the Portobello township needs sensitive design to meet those needs.

While the City Council may have a “big vision of liveability” for cycling and pedestrians as Mayor Dave Cull mentioned last night, liveability also means ensuring that it works for those who live beside and ultimately pay for these projects. Fundamental to that is ensuring that the values that makes Portobello such a desirable and beautiful place to live are not compromised or obliterated for the sake of an idealistic vision. It also means that the design enhances and complements the individual qualities of the Township, rather than arbitrarily using a cut and paste design.  Based on the artist’s impression of the design to date, it would appear that the Council have a way to go before that criteria is met, and the community must actively participate in that process.

City Council Annual Plan

On By Portobello EditorIn Dunedin, New Zealand, Otago, Otago Peninsula, Peninsula, Portobello, Portobello Community Inc, Public NoticesLeave a comment

The Dunedin City Council will be consulting with the community on the 2013/2014 Annual Plan. This is an opportunity for  Portobello & Peninsula residents to discuss its priorities in the next financial year. The Otago Peninsula Community Board also submits on the Annual Plan, but individual residents should also make submissions about the issues that they are passionate about in their community. Take the opportunity to read what the Annual Plan will mean to you as a ratepayer and how those things will affect you and your family.  www.dunedin.govt.nz/draft-annual-plan

As part of the consultation process there will be a public meeting held at the Coronation Hall, Portobello on Wednesday, 13 March at 7:30pm. Portobello Community Inc. encourages everyone to take part and have your say. Annual Plan Poster