Strath Taieri Community Board
MINUTES
Minutes of an ordinary meeting of the Strath Taieri Community Board held in the Strath Taieri Community Centre, Middlemarch on Thursday 11 September 2025, commencing at 2.00 pm
PRESENT
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Chairperson |
Barry Williams |
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Deputy Chairperson |
Anna Wilson
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Members |
Cr Bill Acklin |
David Frew |
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Terina Geddes |
Tony Markham |
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IN ATTENDANCE |
Mike Cartwright (Acting Manager, City Growth and Advisory Services) and Garry LaHood (Senior River Engineer, Otago Regional Council) |
Governance Support Officer Wendy Collard
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Annemarie Jutel spoke on a proposal to develop a recreation area/wetland next to March Creek to assist with flood mitigation. Ms Jutel commented that in her opinion the cost would be the purchase of the land which could funded by fundraising. Ms Jutel responded to questions. Cr Bill Acklin entered the meeting at 2.15 pm. |
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Moved (David Frew/Tony Markham): That the Board:
Accepts the apology from Robin Thomas (for absence) and Cr Bill Acklin (for lateness).
Motion carried (STCB/2025/066) |
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Moved (Tony Markham/Terina Geddes): That the Board:
Confirms the agenda with the following addition or alteration
Item 7 – Project Fund being taken before Item 6 – Otago Regional Council Update to allow for staff availability.
Motion carried (STCB/2025/067) |
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.
Barry Williams advised that he had a conflict of interest in the STARTT funding application.
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Moved (Cr Bill Acklin/David Frew): That the Board:
a) Notes the Elected Members' Interest Register attached as Attachment A; and b) Confirms the proposed management plan for Elected Members' Interests.
Motion carried (STCB/2025/068) |
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Moved (Terina Geddes/David Frew): That the Board:
a) Confirms the minutes of the Strath Taieri Community Board meeting held on 07 August 2025 as a correct record. Motion carried (STCB/2025/069) |
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Barry Williams withdrew from this item and Anna Wilson assumed the Chair. The Board considered a funding application from Strath Taieri Agriculture Rural Tourism Trust (STARTT) towards the cost of restoration of the Matarae siding building.
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Moved (Anna Wilson/David Frew): That the Board:
a) Approves funding of $750.00 to STARTT toward the cost of restoration of the Matarae siding building. Motion carried (STCB/2025/070) |
Barry Williams resumed the Chair.
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The Senior River Engineer, Otago Regional Council (Garry LaHood) spoke to the Middlemarch River Management Update and responded to questions.
Following discussion on the stormwater pipe which ran under the road to the Cemetery, the Board requested Otago Regional Council contact Dunedin City Council staff to discuss reversing the flow to help alleviate the flooding at the Cemetery.
The Board thanked Mr LaHood for all his and the other Otago Regional Council staff had undertaken.
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Moved (Tony Markham/David Frew): That the Board:
Notes the Otago Regional Council Update.
Motion carried (STCB/2025/071) |
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A report from Civic provided an update on activities relevant to the Board area which included: · Project Fund – Anna Wilson provided an update on the noticeboard and advised that the funding for this was no longer required. It was agreed that these funds would be returned to the discretionary fund. · Correspondence · Middlemarch Effluent Dump Site – Following discussion on the ownership of the site and it was agreed that the Board would write to staff to request that they reconsider taking over it. |
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Moved (Tony Markham/Terina Geddes): That the Board:
Agrees that the Chair would write a letter to 3Waters staff requesting they reconsider the decision not to take ownership of the Middlemarch Effluent Site situated at the Strath Taieri A&P Society.
Motion carried (STCB/2025/072)
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Moved (Terina Geddes/David Frew): That the Board:
a) Notes the Governance Support Officer’s Report. b) Approves funding of up to $300.00 towards the repair of the seat from the Memorial Gardens
Motion carried (STCB/2025/073) |
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Board Members provided verbal updates and report backs on portfolios and activities which included:
Township beautification Anna Wilson provided an update which included the proposed information board for the Middlemarch Cemetery.
Community Resilience Anna Wilson advised that there would be a community event to be held on 14 November 2025.
Otago Central Rail Trust Terina Geddes commented that the season was about to start which hopefully would be a busy one.
Climate Change Tony Markham advised that there was no update.
Water management (including flooding) There was a discussion on the public meeting to gather feedback on the community’s priorities on the Otago Regional Council’s modelling on the flood mitigation for Middlemarch which included starting at the Taieri River and working to the township.
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Moved (Tony Markham/Terina Geddes): That the Board:
a) Agrees to write to the Otago Regional Council advising of the community’s priorities on the proposed flooding mitigation measures. Motion carried (STCB/2025/074)
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Infrastructure, roads and spraying Barry Williams provided an update on the maintenance that had been undertaken.
Community information and publicity Robin Thomas was an apology for the meeting.
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Moved (Cr Bill Acklin/Terina Geddes): That the Board:
a) Notes the Board updates and report backs Motion carried (STCB/2025/075) |
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The Chairperson provided a verbal update on matters of interest since the Board’s last meeting which included: Correspondence – Barry Williams tabled a letter that he had received from Vivienne Robertson on her concerns on speeding and the placement of the 100kms sign on State Highway 87 north of Middlemarch. It was noted that the issue regarding speeding was an NZ Police matter. There was also a discussion on also requesting the installation of flashing school zone signs on the State Highway 87. Stormwater/Wastewater – there was a discussion on the letters received by residents regarding the requirement of them to separate their stormwater and wastewater connections and staff’s lack of response to some of the concerned residents’ concerns. The Acting Manager, City Growth and Advisory Services (Mike Cartwright) advised that he would follow up with staff. |
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Moved (Anna Wilson/David Frew): That the Board: a) Agrees to write to NZTA Waka Kotahi advocating for the 100km sign to be moved further north and the installation of flashing school zone signs. Agrees to write to Vivienne Robertson providing a response to her letter.
Motion carried (STCB/2025/076)
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Dunedin Railway Ltd – there was a discussion on timeline to reinstate the Taieri Gorge Train to Middlemarch and it was suggested that the incoming board continue to build a relationship with the management of Dunedin Railways Ltd.
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Moved (Cr Bill Acklin/Tony Markham): That the Board:
a) Notes the Chairperson’s report Motion carried (STCB/2025/077) |
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Councillor Bill Acklin thanked the members of the Board for all the work and advocacy that they had undertaken over the last 3 years. He wished the members standing for re-elect all the best for the election. |
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Moved (Cr Bill Acklin/Tony Markham): That the Board:
a) Notes the Council Activities Update Motion carried (STCB/2025/078) |
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The Board acknowledged with thanks the services given by retiring members Barry Williams and Anna Wilson. |
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Moved (Anna Wilson/David Frew): That the Board:
a) Records its sincere thanks to Barry Williams for the loyal and conscientious service given to the Dunedin community as a member of the Strath Taieri Community Board for the thirty six year period 1989 to 2025. b) Extends its sincere appreciation for the services rendered and every good wish for the future. Motion carried (STCB/2025/079)
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Moved (Barry Williams/Cr Bill Acklin): That the Board:
a) Records its sincere thanks to Anna Wilson for the loyal and conscientious service given to the Dunedin community as a member of the Strath Taieri Community Board for the 3 year period 2022 to 2025. Extends its sincere appreciation for the services rendered and every good wish for the future.
Motion carried (STCB/2025/080) |
The meeting concluded at 3.35 pm.
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CHAIRPERSON CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER