Posted on May 22, 2017
By Margot Taylor, Otago Daily Times
The Dunedin City Council is calling on the Otago Regional Council to work with it to plan for the future of the city’s harbour.
In a submission to the ORC draft annual plan, the DCC sought the regional council’s agreement on a harbour and harbour edge management plan.
The plan would include the dredging of Careys Bay, the entrance of the Otago Yacht Club and the eastern channel to improve navigation and to make the harbour safe, the submission said.
Cr Christine Garey said the dredging of Careys Bay and the eastern channel were areas that were ”current and urgent”.
The city council supported the appointment of a dedicated harbour master and encouraged the regional council to use its ownership of Port Otago to improve the city’s waterfront.
The submission also asked the regional council to view the management of the conversation, biodiversity and recreational value of Tomahawk lagoon as a priority.
The city council would work with the ORC to ensure damage to its assets in the area, including Domain Hall, was minimised in the event of future floods
The DCC also wanted an integrated approach to pest and plant control, including sycamores, and stoats and rats.
Policy and resourcing by the ORC for the protection of ecosystems would help the DCC achieve goals set out in the environment strategy, the submission said.
The submission will be considered at the ORC annual plan hearings next week.
Source: Otago Daily Times
