Signs of the Times

On October 12, 2017 By Portobello EditorIn Dunedin, New Zealand, Otago, Otago Peninsula, Peninsula, Portobello, Portobello Community IncLeave a comment

Portobello Community Incorporated are excited to be having the official opening of their new Portobello Heritage Trail on Saturday 14th October as part of the 2017 Dunedin Heritage Festival. The new traill consist of seven interpretative signs giving the history of the main buildings in the township. The opening of the trail will start at the Portobello Jetty at 12.00pm and will be followed by afternoon tea at the Coronation Hall. Below is a sneak preview of the signs. Click on the image to view in a bigger format.

Blacksmiths

Coronation Hall

The Jetty

The Hotel

Roys Store

Old Store

Hereweka Hike

On February 21, 2016 By Portobello EditorIn Dunedin, New Zealand, Otago, Otago Peninsula, PeninsulaLeave a comment

Anzac Day in Portobello

On April 25, 2014 By Portobello EditorIn Dunedin, New Zealand, Otago, Otago Peninsula, Peninsula, Portobello, Portobello Community Inc2 Comments

Despite the rain the Anzac Day service at Portobello Museum was well attended by young an old on Friday 25th April. The service was a fitting tribute for all of those who served throughout the last 100 years, but 2014 is particularly poignant being the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War One.

Anzac Day is a unique part of New Zealand life. We commemorate and we mourn together in every city and every small town across the country. As a nation and in our communities we reach out spiritually and physically to those who served but were lost to us forever. We stand beside or remember those who served and were returned to us.

Anzac day is the time when we gather together and remember those men and women who as ordinary people did extraordinary things in extraordinary times, in events and places that shaped the world’s history. Anzac Day is a time when we reflect on the peace that we have enjoyed created by the sacrifice and service of those willing to serve their communities, their country and their comrades. Perhaps, in this time of peace on Anzac Day we should reflect and show stronger resolve on how we can best serve our families, our community and our country today. In 100 years New Zealand and all of its servicemen and women have shown the world that the real and lasting victories are those of peace and not of war.

At the conclusion of the service a commemorative tree was planted with a plaque to honour the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War One. There was also a welcome cup of tea at the end of the service and a chance to reminisce with friends and loved ones. Many thanks to the Portobello Museum volunteers and Portobello Community incorporated for your work in organising the event.

Lest we forget.

Children planting commemorative tree

Another young “digger”

Plaque at the Domain

Laying of a wreath

Local family members lay their wreathes

Audience at the service

An Extraordinary Land

On July 3, 2013 By Portobello EditorIn Dunedin, New Zealand, Otago, Otago Peninsula, Peninsula, Portobello, Portobello Community Inc, Public NoticesLeave a comment

Everyday is a Winding Road – Portobello Road Consultation

On May 8, 2013 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.

D Scene Reports on Portobello Road Widening

On April 4, 2013 By Portobello EditorIn Dunedin, New Zealand, Otago, Otago Peninsula, Portobello, Portobello Community IncLeave a comment

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.

The Long and Widening Road

On March 14, 2013March 14, 2013 By Portobello EditorIn Dunedin, New Zealand, Otago, Otago Peninsula, Peninsula, Portobello, Portobello Community Inc, Public NoticesLeave a comment

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.

Road Widening Consultation

On March 1, 2013March 4, 2013 By Portobello EditorIn Dunedin, New Zealand, Otago, Otago Peninsula, Peninsula, Portobello, Portobello Community IncLeave a comment

The Dunedin City Council have announced the first stage of public consultation on the road widening of Portobello Road. The project includes widening the road by 5-8 metres in places and the development of a cycle-way and pedestrian pathway alongside Otago Harbour. Many residents will have watched with interest similar developments at Macandrew Bay.

There is no doubt that accessibility is limited on Portobello Road in its present configuration and that changes are needed in the interests of safety and access. However, all of those things need to be put into context of the Portobello community and how the widening project;

Will provide the best recreational options for the community to enjoy.
Ensures that the heritage and landscape character of our township is protected and enhanced.
Creates a safe road and pedestrian environment for our families and children.
Protects the Otago Harbour environment and coastal access that we already enjoy as part of our Portobello lifestyle.

That means that Portobello and Peninsula residents must take the opportunity to participate in the consultation process and ensure that the community receives the best possible options for this project. The proposed consultation period closes on the 28^th March 2013, when the Council will take the views of the residents into consideration for the final design and subsequent lodgement for resource consent with the Otago Regional Council. This project is funded partly by your rates, make the time to view the plans and have your say about what you think are the best options for your township. Talk to your neighbours, friends and colleagues and have your say.

Plans can be viewed at;