HEARINGS COMMITTEE
Taieri mouth road speed consultation hearing
MINUTES
Minutes of an ordinary meeting of the Hearings Committee held in the Council Chambers, Dunedin Public Art Gallery, The Octagon, Dunedin, on Thursday 28 May 2026, commencing at 9.07 am
PRESENT
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Chairperson |
Cr Mandy Mayhem |
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Cr Andrew Simms |
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Cr Mickey Treadwell |
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IN ATTENDANCE |
Jeanine Benson (Group Manager Transport), Simon Spiers (Acting Transport Strategy Manager) and Janet Young (Transport Analyst) |
Governance Support Officer Lynne Adamson
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.
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Moved (Cr Mandy Mayhem/Cr Mickey Treadwell):
That the Committee:
a) Notes the Elected Members' Interest Register; and b) Confirms the proposed management plan for Elected Members' Interests. Motion carried (HEAR/2026/003) |
1 Taieri Mouth Road Speed Limit - Consultation Summary Report
The Committee considered an application to review the speed limit on the Taieri Mouth Road.
The Acting Transport Strategy Manager (Simon Spiers) provided an overview on the speed limit review process. He noted that there were three options available for consideration by the Committee being:
· Option 2 – change the speed limit from 100 km/h to 80 km/h on part of Taieri Mouth Road (6.3 km)
· Option 3 – do not change the 100 km/h speed limit on Taieri Mouth Road (6.3 km)
SUBMISSIONS
The following submitters presented to the Committee.
1285275 Alexandra Tickle
Ms Tickle spoke to her submission in opposition of any speed limit changes. She advised that she supported option 3 to retain the current speed limit and that she had lived in Taieri Mouth and had driven the road for three years and did not believe the road was the problem, it was more the conditions e.g. seal breeding times and there are only two places when you have clear visibility and can safely pass a car.
Ms Tickle responded to questions.
1288521 Colin Weatherall
Mr Weatherall advised that he had lived in Brighton for 55 years and as he commuted between his home and the crib he had owned for over 30 years at Taieri Mouth, he was very familiar with the road. Mr Weatherall commented that there were currently 12 speed changes on the Green Island to Taieri Mouth road and that generally compliance was good. He commented on the maintenance of the laybys and encouraged regular maintenance be undertaken and noted that vegetation especially during the flower season of flaxes which encroached on the road affected visibility and space for bike riders and vehicles.
Mr Weatherall advised that he would like an additional change for consideration with the moving of an 80km speed limit sign on the Brighton-Taieri Mouth Road to the other side of Big Stone Road. He commented on the benefits to a lower speed past the Big Stone Road intersection. Mr Weatherall agreed that the speed limit could be reduced through Kuri Bush for a small section of the road.
Mr Weatherall responded to questions.
1286033- John Burnip
Mr Burnip spoke to his submission in support of the reduction in speed from 100 km/h to 80 km/h. He commented that he had lived on the road for 52 years and had submitted to the Saddle Hill Community Board and the Council in support of the reduction of the speed. Mr Burnip advised that the bulk of the submitters were from Taieri Mouth, Brighton and the wider city and not those who lived on the stretch of road. He advised that if the speed limit was reduced, it would result in an additional 54 seconds of travel time only and encouraged the Committee to support the change.
Mr Burnip responded to questions.
Submitter 1285122 Peter Parsons
Mr Parsons spoke in support of the reduction of the speed limit from 100 km/h to 80 km/h. He commented on the increased usage of the road and the danger this presented. Mr Parsons provided an example of cyclists being passed by logging trucks and the danger this posed especially if there was traffic travelling in the opposite direction.
Mr Parsons commented that it was a small section of road with the reduced speed limit of 80 km/h, it would be ignored and road users would continue to travel at 100 km/h. The number of speed changes were confusing and compliance would be low.
Mr Parsons responded to questions and commented that there was currently good visibility but during certain times of the year when the sun was lower, it greatly impacted the sight line of the driver.
Moved (Cr Mandy Mayhem/Cr Mickey Treadwell):
That the Committee
Adjourns the meeting for 10 minutes.
Motion carried
The meeting adjourned at 10.04 am reconvened at 10.17 am
Submitter 1291441 – Saddle Hill Community Board
Mr Paul Weir (Chairperson), Ms Tracey Boereboom (Deputy Chair) and Mr John Moyle spoke on behalf of the Saddle Hill Community Board submission in support of the reduction of the speed limit through the Kuri Bush section of the road only and the movement of the 80 km/h speed limit sign to the south of Big Stone Road.
They requested a continued and regular maintenance schedule for vegetation and noted the danger with blind spot entry and exits to laybys.
Mr Weir, Ms Boereboom and Mr Moyle responded to questions.
Moved (Cr Mandy Mayhem/Cr Mickey Treadwell):
That the Committee:
Adjourns the meeting for 10 minutes
Motion carried
The meeting adjourned at 10.36 am and reconvened at 11.10 am.
Submitter 1282021 Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou
Mr Edward Ellison spoke to the submission from Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou. Mr Ellison commented that he was a trustee of a Māori block of land and had been travelling the road for many decades and now experienced difficulties with entry and exit use of their driveway.
He noted the submission came from a safety issue and advised that, with the current increased usage of the road especially with logging trucks, a 100 km/h speed limit was no longer suitable.
Mr Ellison responded to questions.
Submitter 1292024 Te Whatu Ora
Mr Tom Scott (Health Protection Officer) and Professor John Eastwood (Designated Medical Officer of Health) spoke to the submission on behalf of Te Whatu Ora in support of option 1 – to change the speed limit from 100 km/h to 80 km/h on the full length of Taieri Mouth Road.
They acknowledged and supported the key reasons for the reduction in speed and commented that they were well articulated on the website. They commented that any coastal roads had frequent curves and corners and were not originally designed for fast speeds.
Mr Scott and Professor Eastwood commented on the many access points along the road and their belief that parts of the infrastructure should be designed in a way that at risk users can use them safely. People unfamiliar with that road should not be put at risk by the condition of the road, the road.
Mr Scott and Professor Eastwood responded to questions.
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There was a discussion on the proposed speed limit change. The Committee discussed all options and all submissions and their proposals. They agreed that Option 1 – change the speed limit from 100 km/h on the full length of Taieri Mouth Road was the safest option.
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Moved (Cr Andrew Simms/Cr Mickey Treadwell): That the Committee: a) Notes the feedback received. b) Adopts Option One – to reduce the speed limit from 100 km/h to 80 km/h on the full length of Taieri Mouth Road (13.9 km). c) Notes the complimentary measures raised. Motion carried (HEAR/2026/004) |
The meeting closed at 12.00 noon.
CHAIRPERSON