Hearings Committee - Bylaws and Policies

MINUTES

Minutes of an ordinary meeting of the Consultation Hearings held in the Council Chambers, Dunedin Public Art Gallery, The Octagon, Dunedin on Monday 17 February 2025, commencing at 9.30 am - draft Dunedin Town Belt Reserve Management Plan

PRESENT

Chairperson	Cr Andrew Whiley
Members	Cr Marie Laufiso
	Cr Steve Walker
	Mr Hoani Langsbury

IN ATTENDANCE

Health Ellis (Acting Group Manager Parks and Recreation), John Brenkley (Planning and Partnerships Manager) and Katie Eglesfield (Parks and Recreation Planner)

Governance Support Officer                  Wendy Collard

1          karakia timatanga

Hoani Langsbury opened the meeting with a karakia timataka and acknowledged the passing of Mr David Ellison, Upoko of Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki, with a kia maumahara.

2          Apologies
	There were no apologies.

3          Confirmation of agenda
	Moved (Cr Andrew Whiley/Cr Steve Walker): That the Committee: Confirms the agenda with the following alteration: Item 6 – Speaking Schedule be taken before Item 5 Draft Dunedin Town Belt Reserve Management Plan 2024 – Summary of Feedback from Community Engagement. Motion carried (CH/2025/001)

4          Declarations of interest

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.

Moved (Cr Andrew Whiley/Cr Marie Laufiso):

That the Committee:

a)         Notes the Elected or Independent Members' Interest Register; and

b)        Confirms the proposed management plan for Elected or Independent Members' Interests.

Motion carried (CH/2025/002)

6          Speaking Schedule

	Marita Ansin-Johnson (via Zoom)  107535
	Marita Ansin-Johnson spoke to her submission in support of the Dunedin Town Belt and the importance of this area to the city and its residents.  Ms Ansin-Johnson commented that she wanted to ensure that the area was protected for the future. Ms Ansin-Johnson responded to questions.
	Ridima Jain and Camila Barns (Students from Town Belt Kaitiaki)  1088306
	Ridima Jain and Camila Barns spoke on behalf of the Students from Town Belt Kaitiaki’s submission and commented that they supported the instalment of additional rubbish bins.   They commented that they felt that dumping was a big problem and would like to see increased signage or enforcement. Ms Jain commented that they would like improved pedestrian access via the Ross Street/Leven Street and City Rise intersection to their model site.  She spoke of the importance of the Town Belt to her which included learning skills such as planting trees, etc. Ms Barns commented on the importance that the Town Belt played in education for the future leaders and generations.  She advised that she felt Town Belt was important as it’s mana supported people’s well-being and helped ground people. Ms Jain and Ms Barns responded to questions.
	Emily Cambridge 1078911
	Emily Cambridge spoke to her submission which included the opportunity for the reduction or removal of traffic along sections of Queens Drive.  Ms Cambridge commented that she would like to see Queens Drive closed on weekends similarly to John Wilson Drive as this would enable people to use it in a safe car free space through an urban forest. Ms Cambridge responded to questions.
	Mike Broughton  1080794
	Mike Broughton tabled and spoke to a summary of his submission.  Mr Broughton commented on the importance of preventing direct light from streetlights from Ross Street and City Road spilling into the Beverly-Begg Observatory and he provided several suggestions to do this which included replacement of the streetlights or planting a shelter belt along the Ross Street boundary and along the footpath at the southern end of Robin Hood Park. Mr Broughton responded to questions.
Moved that the Committee  (Cr Andrew Whiley/Cr Marie Laufiso): Adjourns the meeting. Motion carried The meeting adjourned at 10.32 am and reconvened at 10.52 am.
	Robin Hyndman (Dunedin Amenities Society) 1077888
	Robin Hyndman spoke to the submission on behalf of the Dunedin Amenities Society.  Mr Hyndman commented that the Society felt that vehicle access through the entire Town Belt was a key part of the reserve, and it was critical that the two way access be retained for all users including motorists. Mr Hyndman responded to questions.
Moved that the Committee (Cr Andrew Whiley/Cr Steve Walker): Adjourns the meeting. Motion carried The meeting adjourned at 11.10 am and reconvened at 12.10 pm.
	Karen Anderson (via Zoom)  1079047
	Karen Anderson presented a PowerPoint presentation in support of her submission.

5          Draft Dunedin Town Belt Reserve Management Plan 2024 - Summary of Feedback from Community Engagement

	A report from Parks and Recreation provided a summary of the submissions received during community engagement on the draft Dunedin Town Belt Reserve Management Plan 2024 (the Draft Plan).  It noted that the Draft Plan was an update of the 2007 Dunedin Town Belt Reserve Management Plan. The report noted that there were 60 submissions made during community engagement on the Draft Plan.  Of the submissions, 44 supported the Draft Plan, 16 did not support the Draft Plan. Following discussion, the Committee requested the following changes: Reference to cycleways be changed to: Shared Pathways to include pedestrian and access for disabled people. 4.  Specific Reserve Area Values 4.14 Robin Hood Park to include:  Review planting at Robin Hood Park to establish a planted screen of trees to reduce lighting effects from road corridors. 5. Site Analysis 5.1 Values to be protected:  5.1.2 Mana whenua Cultural Values to become 5.1.1 and 5.1.1 Victorian Heritage Values to become 5.1.2.  And Victorian Heritage Values to be renamed a Heritage Values. 5.2.2 Lighting to include: Light-reduction strategies, such as shielding fixtures and strategic screen planting, should be prioritised at Robin Hood Park, home to the Beverly-Begg Observatory and frequent nigh-viewing activities. 5.2.7 Rubbish Dumping to include: Fly-tipping remains a significant issue along Queens Drive, where trailers are frequently used to dump large loads of household waste……….. Identify opportunities to restrict car access to some parts of Queens Drive, and potential awareness campaigns to promote waste responsibility….. 6. Opportunities 6.11 to be: Identify a suitable location for a shared path route, which includes provision for mobility needs, along the length of the Reserve where impact on the status quo is minimal. Add 6.15: Investigate ways to communicate and receive communications from the public with specific regard to the Reserve.  A Town Belt email account and newsletter, or possible Trust structure. 6.16: Identify possible marketing campaigns to encourage responsible waste management. The Committee requested the additional of commentary in the introduction regarding Council having no intention of disposing any part of the Town Belt.  They also requested that staff investigate communication channels regarding information about the Reserve.
Moved that the Committee (Cr Andrew Whiley/Cr Marie Laufiso): Adjourns the meeting. Motion carried The meeting adjourned at 1.10 pm and reconvened on Friday, 14 March 2025 at 2.00 pm.
An apology was received from Cr Marie Laufiso Moved that the Committee (Cr Andrew Whiley/Cr Steve Walker) Accepts the apology from Cr Marie Laufiso Motion carried
	There was discussion on the updated draft Dunedin Town Belt Reserve Management Plan. The Committee requested the following change: 6. Opportunities 6.15 to be Establish ways to communicate and receive communications………………
	Moved (Cr Andrew Whiley/Mr Hoani Langsbury): That the Committee: a)         Notes the feedback from the public engagement of the Draft Dunedin Town Belt Reserve Management Plan b)        Recommends to Council that the Draft Dunedin Town Belt Reserve Management Plan, as amended, be adopted. Motion carried (CH/2025/003)

The meeting concluded at 2.30 pm.

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CHAIRPERSON