Saddle Hill Community Board
MINUTES
Minutes of an ordinary meeting of the Saddle Hill Community Board held in the Brighton Surf Life Saving Club Rooms, Brighton Road, Dunedin on Thursday 14 August 2025, commencing at 2:00 pm
PRESENT
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Chairperson |
Paul Weir |
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Deputy Chairperson |
Scott Weatherall
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Members |
Dr Pim Allen |
Cr Kevin Gilbert |
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Christina McBratney |
Keith McFadyen |
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John Moyle |
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IN ATTENDANCE |
Heath Ellis (Group Manager, Parks and Recreation). |
Governance Support Officer Lynne Adamson
Colin Weatherall – Various Concerns
Mr Weatherall spoke on various items of interest which included:
Council response to Fix It Grams/Concerns recorded by email and outstanding requests he had sent in with respect to maintenance of the laybys on the Brighton – Taieri Mouth Road which needed vegetation cut back and the walking track from Waldronville to the Kaikorai Estuary.
Proposed Brighton Rd/Taieri Mouth Road matters including the lowering of the speed limit through Kuri Bush area as raised by residents. Mr Weatherall commented that Council may look at Kuri Bush in its own right but would then like all of Brighton Road from Green Island to Taieri Mouth to be considered as a whole noting the various speed limits along the road.
Mr Weatherall spoke of the proposed bike track development on the Brighton Domain. He expressed his concern that the additions of the plan on Facebook showed the track to be alongside the playground. He commented that this would be detrimental to the Brighton Gala Day operations and that he had provided 6-8 other sites within the community and would like these to be taken into consideration. Mr Weatherall suggested that the incoming Board may wish to consider consultation on this.
Mr Weatherall acknowledged the Board and thanked them for their service to the community over the triennium and wished them well in the future.
Mr Weatherall responded to questions on the slip on the Brighton-Taieri Mouth Road and the Waldronville – Kaikorai Estuary walkway. He commented that the Board had encouraged Council to provide a gravel footpath but this was no longer in a good state and needed maintenance to ensure it remained use worthy.
Cr Kevin Gilbert thanked Mr Weatherall for his contribution to the community.
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Moved (Paul Weir/Keith McFadyen): That the Board:
Confirms the agenda with the following addition:
That Board Updates be included and taken before Item 8 – Governance Support Officers Report; and That Item 12 – Greater Green Island Youth Action Group be taken when the group arrive at the meeting.
Motion carried (SHCB/2025/039) |
Members were reminded of the need to stand aside from decision-making when a conflict arose between their role as an elected representative and any private or other external interest they might have.
Keith McFadyen provided an update to his interest register.
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Moved (Paul Weir/Cr Kevin Gilbert): That the Board:
a) Amends the Elected Members' Interest Register; and b) Confirms the proposed management plan for Elected Members' Interests. Motion carried (SHCB/2025/040) |
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Moved (Paul Weir/Christina McBratney): That the Board: a) Confirms the public part of the minutes of the Saddle Hill Community Board meeting held on 05 June 2025 as a correct record. Motion carried (SHCB/2025/041) |
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A report from Civic presented one funding application for consideration by the Board. The Fairfield Bowling Club was applying for funding to replace the existing Heartstart Battery and Heartstart Pads for the Community Defibrillator held at the Fairfield Bowling Club. |
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Moved (Paul Weir/Dr Pim Allen): That the Board:
a) Approves the funding application for $718.75 from the Fairfield Bowling Club. Motion carried (SHCB/2025/042) |
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7 Proposed Speed Limit Changes to Taieri Mouth Road and Kuri Bush Settlement |
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A report from Transport provided an update on the Dunedin City Council’s intention to consult on proposed speed limit changes on the section of Taieri Mouth Road between the Clutha District Council boundary and the existing 80km/h sign near the Big Stone Road intersection. This section of road includes the Kuri Bush settlement. A speed limit reduction from 100km/h to 80km/h along Taieri Mouth Road was proposed in the draft Speed Management Plan that the Dunedin City Council consulted on in 2023. During consultation, 20 Kuri Bush residents signed a submission that supported an 80km/h speed limit through the settlement. Following the release of the 2024 Setting of Speed Limits Rule, the DCC had been unable to proceed with the draft Speed Management Plan (SMP) as the process for setting speed limits changed. The DCC now proposed to consult on changing the Taieri Mouth Road speed limit to 80km/h, in line with the requirements of the Setting of Speed Limits 2024 Rule. The Board discussed the more than 100 responses on the Taieri Mouth Facebook page and encouraged staff to view the page and take the responses into consideration. |
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Moved (Paul Weir/Christina McBratney): That the Board:
a) Supports consultation on the proposed speed limit changes for Taieri Mouth Road and encourages the new Board to submit on the consultation. Motion carried (SHCB/2025/043) |
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Board Members provided updates on the following:
· Keep Dunedin Beautiful – Christina McBratney commented that the Keep Dunedin Beautiful Awards nominations closed on 25 July 2025 and the Committee was now assessing these. · Civil Defence – Scott Weatherall spoke of the need for a handover of the community response to the new Board. · Brighton Toy Box – there was encouragement to supply any suitable toys. · Community Pantries – It was noted that the Community Pantries were looking tired especially the one in Ocean View and needed attention.
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Moved (Paul Weir/Keith McFadyen): That the Board: a) Notes the Board updates. Motion carried (SHCB/2025/044) |
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A report from Civic provided an update on activities relevant to the Board area which included: · Project Fund · Freedom camping · Dunedin City Council 9 year plan submission |
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The Group Manager Parks and Recreation (Heath Ellis) advised that the works for the slip on Brighton – Taieri Mouth Road was due to begin in September 2025. He also provided an update on drainage and mud tank clearing.
Scott Weatherall spoke of the issues with coastal erosion and expressed a preference to have a drone flown along the coastline and then repeated six monthly to provide a clear picture of coastal erosion in the Board area.
Mr Ellis responded to questions on freedom camping and provided an update on enforcement and the community ranger project.
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Moved (Paul Weir/Keith McFadyen): That the Board:
a) Notes the Governance Support Officer’s Report. Motion carried (SHCB/2025/045) |
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The Chairperson provided an update on matters of interest since the last meeting which included: · Chain Hills Bus Stop – Otago Regional Council staff were seeking clarification from the contractors as to when this would be installed. · Greater Green Island meeting to be held on 13 September 2025. It was noted there were no members available to attend. · Hogan Place, Fairfield, gorse issue. The Dunedin City Council had no jurisdiction over private land owners. · Public Rescue Equipment – Scott Weatherall had met with Tom Dyer, General Manager Science and Resilience, Otago Regional Council regarding vehicle access to Brighton Beach. Mr Dyer advised that it was hoped to be reopened for the summer. · Waldronville walking tracks – Paul Weir and Christina McBratney commented that the tracks from the Gun Club to Beachlands Speedway would have maintenance work undertaken which included additional gravel. · Submission to the Dunedin City Council 9 year plan 2025-2034 – Scott Weatherall expressed his disappointment to the response received for the Board Submission. He commented on disappointment that the Council were not open to negotiate public toilets as Brighton Domain needed an additional cubicle. It was noted that the Council provided two portaloos at the Brighton Domain and two at Ocean View over the summer season. Scott Weatherall commented that he would like to see a trial of a portaloo at the Estuary for the Summer. |
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Moved (Paul Weir/Scott Weatherall): That the Board:
a) Notes the report from Chairperson’s Report. Motion carried (SHCB/2025/046) |
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The updated Saddle Hill Community Plan was provided for adoption. |
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Moved (Paul Weir/Scott Weatherall): That the Board:
a) Adopts the revised Saddle Hill Community Board Community Plan. Motion carried (SHCB/2025/047) |
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Councillor Kevin Gilbert provided an update on items of interest which included · Shared Pathway – Cr Gilbert commented that the section of shared pathway from Waldronville to Ocean View was in the 9 year plan and had been requested to be included in the Otago Regional Council’s strategic cycle plan. It will be considered with other plans in the future. Cr Gilbert spoke of the work the Taieri Cycle Trust had undertaken to complete the North Coast track from Waikouaiti. He suggested that the new Board may like to consider championing the Waldronville to Ocean View shared pathway with the initial start being a meeting on site with the Manager of the Blackhead Quarries and Group Manager Transport, Dunedin City Council. · Public Toilets – Cr Gilbert spoke of the standards Council was required to adhere to when building new toilets. · Centennial Road Subdivision – In response to a request from Scott Weatherall, Cr Gilbert had helped connect a resident with the appropriate Council department on a disgruntlement with the subdivision. · Hospital Staff Car Parking – Paul Weir sought information on proposed parking for Doctors and Nurses on shift work at the Dunedin Hospital. Cr Gilbert advised that whilst there was no immediate answer, car parking was an important conversation around the hospital build. |
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Keith McFadyen thanked Cr Gilbert for his contribution and support provided to the Saddle Hill Community Board.
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Moved (Cr Kevin Gilbert/Keith McFadyen): That the Board:
a) Notes the Councillor’s update. Motion carried (SHCB/2025/048) |
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The following items were raised by members: · Coastal Erosion Assessment for the Board Area - Scott Weatherall requested an update. · Tunnel Beach reopening – Mr Ellis commented that the goal of the Department of Conservation was to have the track reopened for the summer season. · Portaloos at the Island Park Reserve, Kaikorai Estuary – Mr Ellis advised that he would obtain prices for the portaloos. |
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Noah Scott and Brianna Le, Youth Workers, Greater Green Island Youth Action Group accompanied by Emily McKenzie and Christopher Gibbons provided an update on their activities. They advised that this was a new group which covered the area from Brighton to Concord, Fairfield and Mosgiel. There had been 32 applications to join the group with 16 successful applicants.
Emily McKenzie (Concord School pupil) commented that the role of the action group was to create action in the community and represent schools.
The group comprised of a range of young people ranging in ages between 10 and 18, held monthly meetings and a fortnightly podcast with OAR FM. This opportunity provided an update on the activities and spoke of upcoming events they were involved in. The group were active on social media and had a Tik Tok account.
Chris Gibbons (Fairfield School pupil) explained what the young people liked about the area, the community were welcoming and kind and enjoyed the variety of activities available such as sports clubs, parks and restaurants.
They responded to questions and commented that they wanted to collaborate on community events and would like to present to the Board more regularly.
The Board thanked the members for attending the meeting and providing the update. They looked forward an ongoing relationship with them and offered for them to join them in the Saddle Hill Community Board tent for the Brighton Gala Day.
Keith McFadyen invited the youth group members and families to attend a free fun day at the Brighton Bowling Club once the season started in November.
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The meeting concluded at 3.48 pm.
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CHAIRPERSON