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.
A public meeting will be held at the Coronation Hall in Portobello at 7:00pm 28th March to discuss the propose changes made by the Ministry of Primary Industries to allow the commercial take of paua from the Otago Peninsula area. The Ministry propose opening the Cape Saunders to Harakeke Point and Robertson’s Creek to Smaill’s Beach areas. These are the areas of highest paua numbers in the Dunedin region, and the prime region for recreational paua fishing. If this proposal is approved by the Minister, commercial fishing begins on the 1st of October this year.
You have six weeks to make a written submission stating why you are opposed to having these opened up for commercial fishing. This is a very important issue for the Otago Peninsula and every resident who has concerns over this issue should make it clear that they oppose this change in use.
The submission form is available here to download. Have your say about what happens to your recreational fishery by 4pm Friday 19th April 2013.
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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.
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
After a summer of long hot days and a flat calm Otago Harbour it was a shock to be welcomed by a stiff south-westerly breeze for the harbour fun day and picnic. With the looming weather and a busy weekend of other competing events in the city, the numbers visiting was fewer, but those who did turn out were equally enthusiastic. The Portobello Volunteer Fire Brigade gave the kids a real hands on introduction to fire-fighting, which was also a future recruiting drive. It was great to see the dedication of the local Coastguard’s new boat with a blessing by Otakou Kaumatua Edward Ellison and the Coastguard chaplain. Also with the celebration of Seaweek, Kimberly Collins from Marine Metre Squared program was available to motivate citizen scientists in the study of Portobello’s own Latham Bay and its marine life. Many thanks to those who paid us a visit today and to the Portobello Community Incorporated team for putting in another great effort, despite the reminder that Autumn has arrived!
Click on the pictures below and view as a slide show.
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;
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 28th 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;
View the plans and make an online submission to the DCC
Scanned versions of the proposed plans can be found on this website for the Portobello sections only.
Portobello Community Inc. held another successful hawk and hurl at the Portobello Domain on Sunday 24th of February. Utilising the Dunedin City Council’s rubbish clean up days with the opportunity for people to sell unwanted items and collecting scrap through Everitt’s has been a great recycling opportunity in the community. With the fine weather and plenty of bargains and haggling to be done it was great to see so many people turn up and enjoy the event. This months hawk and hurl added a further $600 for the Portobello School Pool combined with $1200 from last October’s event. The hawk and hurl has been a great opportunity for the community to make money and recycle items which would normally go to land fill.
Portobello Community 