Waikouaiti Coast Community Board

MINUTES

 

Minutes of an ordinary meeting of the Waikouaiti Coast Community Board held in the John Brown Room, East Otago Events Centre, Waikouaiti on Wednesday 18 February 2026, commencing at 5:30 p.m.

 

PRESENT

 

Chairperson

Alasdair Morrison

 

Deputy Chairperson

Anna Knight

 

Members

Andy Barratt

Cr John Chambers

 

Danny Hailes

Geraldine Tait

 

IN ATTENDANCE

Heath Ellis, Group Manager Parks and Recreation (Senior Officer)

 

Governance Support Officer                  Lauren Riddle

 

 

1          Public Forum

1.1       Public Forum – Constable Toby White

Local Police Constable, Toby White spoke on local policing matters within the Board area and encouraged members of the public to make informal contact with him over issues in the community, for his awareness.

 

1.2       Public Forum – Judith Mair, GM of Operations, Mainland Poultry

Judith Mair, General Manager of Operations at Mainland Poultry spoke on the future plans for the company to move its packing, grading and distribution operations to Dunedin, projected for early 2027.  She advised that the farm and feed mill operations would remain at the Waikouaiti site. Current staff had been advised of the relocation plan and that redeployment would be offered to the new Dunedin site.

Ms Mair advised that once the project plan has been formed, further engagement with staff, contractors and the public would occur.

 

1.3       Public Forum - Waikouaiti Coast Heritage Centre

Denise Hutchison from Waikouaiti Coast Heritage Centre spoke to the funding application for consideration by the Board at the meeting. She advised funding was sought to support the purchase of digital devices for the “Unlock the Local Past, Inspire the Future” programme to be run in consultation with the local primary and secondary schools.

 

Mrs Hutchison spoke to the types of resources needed for the programme, such as a mobile whiteboard, television, tv stand, laptop, and gave approximate costs.

 

Moved (Alasdair Morrison/ Andy Barratt):

 

That the Board:

 

                          Extend Public Forum beyond 30 minutes.

 

             Motion carried.

 

1.4       Public Forum -  Laura Deaker and Mandy Mayhem (Waitati Playground Committee)

Mandy Mayhem and Laura Deaker from the Waitati Playground Committee were in attendance to provide additional information in support of the funding application considered by the Board at its 10 December 2025 meeting.

 

Alasdair Morrison, as Chairperson, provided background to the building of the new Blueskin Bay Library in 2013 and the development of a playground area at the library site, at that time. 

 

Mandy Mayhem spoke to the information provided to the Board via email on 17 February, including pricing detail on the type of play equipment the Committee had selected for the playground, project costs, and who would be responsible for the installation and maintenance of the playground.

 

Mandy Mayhem and Laura Deaker responded to questions.

 

2          Apologies

 

An apology was received from Sonya Billyard for absence.

 

Moved (Alasdair Morrison/ Andy Barratt):

That the Board:

 

Accepts the apology from Sonya Billyard for absence.

 

Motion carried (WCCB/2026/001)

 

3          Confirmation of agenda

 

Moved (Andy Barratt/ Anna Knight):

That the Board:

 

Confirms the agenda without addition or alteration.

 

Motion carried (WCCB/2026/002)

 

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.

 

·                Danny Hailes advised he is a member of the Blueskin A&P Society and the Green Hut Group.

·                Anna Knight advised she is a member of the Green Hut Group.

 

 

Moved (Alasdair Morrison/ Andy Barratt):

That the Board:

 

a)         Amends the Elected Members' Interest Register; and

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

Motion carried (WCCB/2026/003)

5          Confirmation of Minutes

5.1       Waikouaiti Coast Community Board meeting - 10 December 2025

 

Moved (Andy Barratt/ Danny Hailes):

That the Board:

 

a)         Confirms the minutes of the Waikouaiti Coast Community Board meeting held on 10 December 2025 as a correct record.

Motion carried (WCCB/2026/004)

Part A Reports

6          Otago Regional Council (ORC) - Public Transport Update

 

Julian Phillips, Team Leader, Public Transport Dunedin provided a verbal update on the ORC passenger transport service and advised that two larger, purpose built electric (zero emission) buses were scheduled to be introduced into service in the Board area – for Route 1 between Palmerston and Dunedin. Some of the features of these buses included:

·         increased passenger capacity of 89 passengers (from 55 currently)

·         seatbelts

·         improved seating and comfort for passengers

·         priority space for parents or mobility users

·         independent axles for a smoother passenger ride

·         improved reliability

·         transport of passenger bicycles

 

Mr Phillips advised that the new bus service was scheduled to commence in October 2026 and would pass through Warrington.  Discussion underway with the DCC on the establishment of an additional stop in Warrington for northbound passengers.

 

7          Community Plan

 

Alasdair Morrison, as Chairperson, requested that Board members review the current Community Plan, note any updates or changes they wish to be considered. The changes and updates to be discussed at a Board workshop to be held in March. The Community Plan would assist the preparation of the Board’s submission to the Annual Plan 2026-2027.

 

 

8          Chairperson's Report

 

Alasdair Morrison provide a verbal update on items of interest at the meeting, including:

·    Waikouaiti Coast Community Board stall at the Blueskin Show, Waitati for Sunday 29 March 2026.

·    Annual Plan 2026-27 public consultation to be held 1-30 April 2026.

·    Tree removal and replacement programme will commence on the southern entrance to Waikouaiti.

·    Warrington half basketball court update – DCC have lodged an archaeological authority with Heritage NZ for the site, awaiting confirmation before proceeding.

·           Waitati curve on SH1 – speed concerns. Alasdair gave a verbal summary of an email received from NZTA Waka Kotahi on the speed and traffic counts at the Waitati curve.

·           Hawksbury Lagoon – discussion held on the need for larger pipes under the causeway.

·           Waitati Cemetery – project for water supply via rain water collection.

·           Warrington Surf Club – several board members attended the opening of the new clubrooms on 17 January 2026.

·           Feedback on road safety concerns for Inverary Street.

·           Potential Board project at the lookout at Matanaka Drive.

·           Warrington Access track.

·           Karitāne wharf – agreement has been reached to demolish the existing shed at the wharf.

·    Planned site visit by the Board to the Waikouaiti Water Treatment Plant.

 

 

Moved (Alasdair Morrison/ Andy Barratt):

That the Board:

 

a)     Notes the Chairperson’s update.

Motion carried (WCCB/2026/005)

 

9          Councillor Update

 

Cr John Chambers provided a verbal update on items of interest to the Board area, including:

 

·         DCC have made submissions to central government on the 2025 Local Elections; Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill; and Simplifying Local Government consultation

·         Council has reinstated the Grants Subcommittee for consideration of grants over $5,000.  Grants under $5,000 will be managed by staff.

·         Enterprise Dunedin – Council have resolved to move Enterprise Dunedin into a Council Controlled Organisation (CCO).

 

Cr Chambers also advised that he is the Deputy Lead of the Council’s Haurora Health and Wellbeing Portfolio.

 

Moved (Cr John Chambers/ Alasdair Morrison):

That the Board:

 

a)         Notes the update from Cr John Chambers.

Motion carried (WCCB/2026/006)

 

10        Governance Support Officer's Report

 

 

The report informed the Board of activities relevant to the Board area including:

 

·         Voting for the Community Board Executive Community (CBEC) Zone 6 representative.

·         Nomination period for the Local Body By-Election.

·         Pecuniary Interests Register for Community Board Members.

 

 

Moved (Alasdair Morrison/ Andy Barratt):

That the Board:

 

a)         Notes the Governance Support Officer’s Report.

b)        Endorses the nomination of Anna Knight for the Community Boards’ Executive Committee’s (CBEC) Zone 6 representative.

c)         Votes for the Anna Knight as the Board’s preferred CBEC Zone 6 representative

Motion carried (WCCB/2026/007)

 

11        Board Discretionary Fund Update and Funding Applications

 

 

The report detailed the funding application for consideration by the Board from the Waikouaiti Coast Heritage Centre and the application from the Opera House Trust for uplift from the table.

 

The discretionary fund balance as at 18 February was noted as $4,093.02.

 

 

Waikouaiti Coast Heritage Centre

 

 

The Waikouaiti Coast Heritage Centre application sought funding support of $1,500 to assist with the “Unlock the Local Past, Inspire the Future” programme for local schools.

 

Danny Hailes sat back from the item and did not participate in either the discussion or the vote.

 

Discussion was held on the estimated costs indicated by the applicant for delivery of the programme including: movable whiteboard; television and stand; laptop; consumables such as stationery, clipboards and pens.

 

The Board requested that the applicant provide a quote for each of the items sought for funding. On receipt of this information the Board, would consider the application at the 8 April 2026 meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

Moved (Andy Barratt/ Alasdair Morrison):

That the Board:

a)             Agrees to postpone a decision on the funding application until receipt of quotes for the equipment and devices sought by the Waikouaiti Coast Heritage Centre to support the “Unlock the Local Past, Inspire the Future” programme.

Motion carried (WCCB/2026/008)  Danny Hailes abstained from the vote.

 

 

Waitati Playground Committee

 

The funding application from the Waitati Playground Committee was declined by the Board at the 10 December 2025 meeting, with the Board requesting a new application be submitted with provision of budget, project information and a site plan.

 

Minute Extract from 10 December 2025:

Moved (Alasdair Morrison/ Sonya Billyard):

That the Board:

e)        Declines the funding request from the Waitati Playground Committee and seeks a new application (with detailed supporting information, including a plan, budget and other funding sources) to be submitted for consideration by the Board.

             Motion carried (WCCB/2025/009)

 

The Board discussed the information provided by the Waitati Playground Committee during Public Forum by Mandy Mayhem on the speciality play equipment proposed for the playground area at the Blueskin Public Library.

 

Alasdair Morrison, as Chairperson acknowledged a breakdown in communicating the Board’s decision from the 10 December 2025 meeting to the applicant.  He advised that DCC had confirmed that the responsibility for ownership and maintenance of the playground would be taken on by Council.

 

 

Moved (Deputy Anna Knight/Member Danny Hailes):

That the Board:

 

             Consider the Waitati Playground Committee’s request at this meeting for funding of one              item of play equipment, as per the original request, for the “Cat Rocker” as per the              specifications and costings provided by the applicant.

 

             The motion was lost

 

 

Following discussion the Board expressed their desire to encourage a new application from the Waitati Playground Committee to be considered at the next meeting of the Board on 8 April 2026, and for the application to provide costings, quote for the playground equipment to be installed and a site plan showing the layout of the equipment in the playground.

 

 

Moved (Alasdair Morrison/ Andy Barratt):

That the Board:

 

b)                     Requests a new application be submitted by the Waitati Playground Committee with a detailed quote for the cost of the play equipment along with a site plan to illustrate the intended layout of the playground.

Motion carried (WCCB/2026/010)

 

 

 

Opera House Trust

The funding application was withdrawn as the work has already been undertaken.

 

 

Moved (Alasdair Morrison/ Anna Knight):

That the Board:

 

a)         Notes the discretionary fund update.

Motion carried (WCCB/2026/011)

 

 

Discussion was held on the current WCCB funding application format and guidelines. The  Board sought a review of the current form and for inclusion of a checklist to assist applicants to provide all information required, at the time of making the application.

 

The Governance Support Officer was requested to undertake a review of the current application form and report back to the next Board meeting.

 

12        Board Representation and Roles

 

Board members provided verbal updates on activities including:

Cycleways/Shared Paths – Several board members attended the opening of stage 1 of the Coastal Connection trail between Waitati and Mopanui Road on 13 February 2026.

 

East Otago Catchment Group – Danny Hailes spoke to the January 2026 East Otago Catchment Group report - Water quality in the Waikouaiti River catchment, Monitoring activities and findings.

 

Keep Dunedin Beautiful (KDB) – Anna Knight advised that KDB were in attendance at the George Street market day and provided an update on the clean-up day held in the Town Belt Active Travel Trial area, resulting in the collection 100 bags of rubbish.

 

Karitāne Foreshore – Andy Barratt advised no progress has been made to date and the intent is to provide three concepts to the Rūnaka for their consideration.

 

Moana Gow Swimming Pool Committee - Andy Barratt advised the pool has been cleaned and tidied up and now filled with water for use.

 

OneCoast Recycling - Geraldine Tait advised staff have been very busy with a lot of items to be organised.

 

Truby King Recreation Reserve Management Committee - Andy Barratt advised the reserve is in good shape with an upcoming working bee planned.  A major open day is being planned for the reserve in 2027.

 

 

Moved (Alasdair Morrison/ Andy Barratt):

That the Board:

 

a)         Notes the Board updates.

Motion carried (WCCB/2026/012)

 

13        Meeting Schedule for 2026

 

The Board considered the proposed meeting schedule for the remainder of 2026 as adopted by Council on 11 December 2025.  Meeting days were confirmed as a Wednesday, with a start time of 5:30pm.

The proposed dates and meeting venues for 2026 being:

·         18 February (Waikouaiti);

·         8 April (Karitāne);

·         10 June (Warrington);

·         12 August (DCC Civic Centre);

·         28 October (Waitati);

·         9 December (Waikouaiti)

 

 

Moved (Alasdair Morrison/ Anna Knight):

That the Board:

 

a)         Adopts the Meeting Schedule for 2026.

Motion carried (WCCB/2026/013)

 

14        Items for Consideration by the Chair

 

There were no items of consideration by the Chair.

 

 

The meeting concluded at 8:46 p.m.

 

 

 

 

..............................................

CHAIRPERSON

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date of next meeting – 8 April 2026, at Karitāne Hall, Coast Road, Karitāne.