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Road Stopping Subcommittee
17 June 2016
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Part
B Reports
Temporary Road Closure for Event: The Lower
Octagon and Stuart Street
Department: Transport
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The combined hospitality businesses have applied to close
the lower Octagon on the weekend of the All Blacks v’s Wales Rugby Test.
The proposed closure is from 6am on Friday the 24 June 2016 until 11am on Sunday
the 26 June 2016. This report seeks a recommendation on the proposed temporary
closure from the Road Stopping Subcommittee. The proposed closure was
publically notified. Four submissions were received with three in support
and one objecting to the proposal. The New Zealand Police were consulted and
are in support of the proposal in the interests of public safety.
Following a review of all submissions, staff recommend closing the road in
accordance with the application.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
That the Subcommittee:
a) Notes the
objection.
b) Recommends The
Council approves, pursuant to section 342(1)(b) and clause 11(e) of schedule
10 of the Local Government Act 1974 the temporary closure of:
• The
lower Octagon, from George Street, to Stuart Street and the lower Octagon
from Stuart Street to Princes Street
• Stuart
Street from Bath Street to the Lower Octagon
• Stuart
Street from Moray Place to Bath Street (closed Octagon bound direction only);
from 6am Friday 24
June 2016 until 11am Sunday 26 June 2016.
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BACKGROUND
1 Council
has received a joint application from a number of hospitality businesses
located adjacent to the Octagon to temporarily close the lower Octagon and a
portion of lower Stuart Street on the weekend of the All Blacks v’s Wales
Rugby Test. The proposed closure is from 6am on Friday the 24 June 2016 until
11am on Sunday the 26 June 2016.
2 The
hospitality businesses have received approval to extend their licensed areas
after an application to the District Licensing Committee. It is
anticipated that large numbers of people will gather in the Octagon before and
after the Rugby Test.
3 The
proposal was publicly notified in the Otago Daily Times on Saturday the 4 June
2016.
4 Four
submissions were received by the closing date of Friday 10 June 2016. Of these,
one objected to the proposal. The submissions are included as Attachment A.
DISCUSSION
5 The Road
Stopping Subcommittee does not have the power to approve the road closure but
can hear the submissions and make a recommendation to the Council. The
Council is able to approve or decline to approve the temporary road closure
under Schedule 10 clause 11(e) of the Local Government Act 1974.
Submissions
6 The
Regent Theatre has objected to the proposal on the grounds that the use of the
Octagon by the bars to extend their licensed area ‘normalises the
consumption of alcohol’, is for private benefit and precludes use of the
Octagon by community family friendly activities at this time. Additionally, the
Regent has raised concerns about the safety of the public including families
and those attending the All Blacks event.
7 The
Regent has an event on Saturday the 25 June 2016 commencing at 8.30pm and
finishing at 10.10pm. It is expected that 1000 people will attend this event.
The Regent has raised concerns about patrons exiting their event into the road
closure area. The Director of the Regent wishes to speak to their submission.
8 Submissions
received in support of the proposal include three written submissions from the
combined hospitality businesses, including Octagon Village (representing the
northeast quadrant bars), Dunedin Hospitality Macs Brew Bar and Di Lusso, and
The Craic. Points raised in these submissions are:
a) their general
support for other events in the Octagon,
b) the road
closure being a key element of their safety planning,
c) their
provision of an event space for the public,
d) that along
with the accommodation and visitor industry their event space brings economic
benefits to the city,
e) the event
space closure supports Dunedin as ‘event friendly’ for large
events; and
f) they have
privately invested money in the process on the assumption that a road closure
will be approved.
Consultation
with Emergency Services and New Zealand Transport Agency
9 Consultation
has been undertaken with the NZ Police, the NZ Fire Service, the Order of St
John and the New Zealand Transport Agency. The NZ Police have advised
that they are aware of the Regent’s event on Saturday 25 June 2016 and
“believe that a road closure during this time is essential to help
maintain public order in what will be a very busy time for Police staff”.
The New Zealand Transport Agency, the NZ Fire Service and the Order of St John
have no objection to the proposed temporary road closure.
Closure
of the Octagon
10 The lower Octagon
has been closed periodically since 2008 by the combined hospitality businesses
in the Octagon, in conjunction with the extended licensed area to cater for
associated crowds. The lower Octagon is regularly closed by the NZ Police
using different legislation during busy nights for safety reasons. The
Octagon has also been closed by the Council during periods when there are major
sporting events such as during the Rugby World Cup.
11 The Octagon is also
closed regularly for other events, including New Year celebrations, Thieves
Alley, processions and other events.
OPTIONS
Option
One – Recommended Option –
12 That the Subcommittee
recommends to the Council that it approve, pursuant to section 342(1)(b)
and clause 11(e) of schedule 10 of the Local Government Act 1974 the temporary
closure of:
• The
lower Octagon, from George Street, to Stuart Street and the lower Octagon from
Stuart Street to Princes Street
• Stuart
Street from Bath Street to the Lower Octagon
• Stuart
Street from Moray Place to Bath Street (closed Octagon bound direction only);
from 6am Friday 24 June 2016 until 11am Sunday 26 June 2016
Advantages
· The
temporary road closure for the event contributes to the DCC’s Economic
Development Strategy.
· The
temporary road closure is a key means of reducing risks to event participants
and others, and is supported by the NZ Police.
Disadvantages
· There
may be reduced access to businesses and other events in the road closed area.
Option
Two – Status Quo
13 That
the Subcommittee recommends to Council that it not approve the temporary road
closures outlined in this report.
Advantages
· Access
provisions will remain unchanged.
Disadvantages
· This
option does not support the Economic Development Strategy
· This
option may impact the city’s reputation of welcoming large events
· It
is likely emergency services will enact an unplanned closure which would be
reactive and less desirable than a planned and co-ordinated approach.
NEXT STEPS
14 The recommendation
of the Subcommittee will be presented to the Council meeting set down for the
20 June 2016.
Signatories
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Author:
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Michael Tannock - Transport Network Team Leader
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Authoriser:
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Richard Saunders - Group Manager Parks and
Recreation
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Attachments
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Title
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Page
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a
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Submission on Temporary
Octagon Road Closure
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10
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SUMMARY OF CONSIDERATIONS
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Fit with purpose
of Local Government
This decision/report/proposal relates to providing a
regulatory function and it is considered good-quality and cost-effective.
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Fit with strategic
framework
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Contributes
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Detracts
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Not applicable
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Social Wellbeing Strategy
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☐
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☐
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☒
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Economic Development Strategy
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☒
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☐
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☐
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Environment Strategy
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☐
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☐
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☒
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Arts and Culture Strategy
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☐
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☐
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☒
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3 Waters Strategy
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☐
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☐
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☒
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Spatial Plan
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☐
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☐
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☒
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Integrated Transport Strategy
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☐
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☐
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☒
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Parks and Recreation Strategy
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☐
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☐
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☒
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Other strategic projects/policies/plans
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☐
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☐
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☒
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The event contributes to the economic strategy themes of:
a compelling destination, linkages beyond our borders, and business vitality.
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Māori Impact
Statement
There are no known impacts for tangata whenua.
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Sustainability
Road closures for events support social
and economic sustainability.
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LTP/Annual Plan /
Financial Strategy /Infrastructure Strategy
There are no implications.
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Financial
considerations
The cost of the proposed event road closure is to be met
by the applicant.
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Significance
Under the Significance and Engagement
policy this is considered of low significance.
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Engagement –
external
The community has been engaged with as per the relevant
legislation, also the Emergency Services and New Zealand Transport Agency.
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Engagement -
internal
There has been limited internal engagement. There
has been separate planning, licensing and building services applications
under different legislation for other aspects of the activity. The
In-House Counsel were consulted in the drafting of this report.
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Risks: Legal /
Health and Safety etc.
Proactive management of the transport network for the
event supports the health and safety planning of the event organiser,
Emergency Services.
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Conflict of
Interest
There is no conflict of interest.
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Community Boards
There are no implications for Community Boards.
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