[!ai]
Current Peninsula Community Board Chair with strong track record completing Te Awa Otakou project. Emphasizes integration of cycling and public transport, identifies specific dangerous intersections, and advocates for recreational infrastructure. Shows detailed understanding from 12 years of board experience.
Kia ora Devonia
Thank you for your questions and the opportunity to contribute.
As the current Chairman of the Otago Peninsula Community Board my major focus has been on completing the Te Awa Otakou (Peninsula Connection) project beyond Portobello after the completion to that point. With the Board and Community the final three stages of that project were formally adopted by Council in 2025-2034 Long Term Plan. Similarly, the planned boardwalk at the causeway in Portobello should be completed in the 2025-2026 financial plan. It has been a long term struggle, but as the Board Chair I am justifiably pleased we have these key aspects of the programme now in train.
Public transport has also been an area that both myself and the Board have worked extremely hard on. After gaining recognition from the ORC that our school kids are actually commuters, we managed to change the No 18 route and frequency of service. We are now working towards having public transport extended to Taiaroa head so that we can integrate cycling and public transport for visitors and tourists.
What we’ve learnt on the Otago Peninsula is that public transport and cycling infrastructure must compliment one another to provide safety, comfort and reliability. Our own experience has shown many older riders are commuting and visiting the Peninsula, utilising public transport and cycling.
So to answer your questions:
What I’d like to see is better connectivity to cycleways and public transport developed to provide the options I raised above. I find the connection from Portsmouth Drive, the Portobello/causeway intersection and the ongoing route from Thomas Burns St to the city difficult, dangerous and unclear. Its also not on any of the main public transport routes from the Peninsula, Waverly, Tainui or Sth Dunedin. I think Albany St has positives, but there is still problems crossing places like Anzac Avenue. This might be further problematic if a heavy traffic bypass is entered into the mix.
So, I’d like to see better integrated planning between the ORC and DCC to see both options work better. Without droning on, I’ve seen firsthand from the Peninsula that you can integrate all forms of travel with planning and constant advocacy. Those opportunities should be available for the wider city and I would support those initiatives.
In terms of priorities, the delays in the Caversham tunnel and the Chain Hills connection are large bodies of work that would make a significant contribution to the walking and cycling network in the city. Central city connections to existing infrastructure and investments should be given priority.
Public parks and recreational tracks for walking and mountain biking have long been under invested in Dunedin. This makes little sense given current and future age demographics of walkers and cyclists. More people walk and cycle recreationally than probably play rugby or other organised sport, yet the investment doesn’t meet the demand.
What I’ve learnt from my 12 years on the Peninsula Community Board is that once you create the infrastructure it becomes an integral part to people’s commuting and recreational life.
I’d like to see redundant sections of Queens Drive retired from vehicle traffic and opened for walking and cycling connections. Examples are
- Queens Drive from Cosy Dell to Drivers Road
- Littlebourne Road behind OBHS and
- Queens Drive from City Road to Braid Road
- Braid Road between Queens Drive and City Road. ’
I’ve always felt that the lower gardens should allow cycling as a throughway between the campus and NEV. Connecting South Dunedin/St Clair through the city to NEV also needs revision to make it more coherent and usable as a cycling route.
Personally, I like George Street since the redevelopment. It’s a more enjoyable space to move around in and provides options for events and inner city vibrancy. I wonder whether the Octagon and lower Stuart Street could have similar treatment that links heritage, accessibility and open space. I also wonder whether the railway station should have been considered as a second public transport hub that allowed for a commuter bus option to and from the airport.
One of the things that does need discussion is the development of inner city open space once the hospital construction is finalised. We lack passive areas for recreation, play and congregation within the inner city and the Octagon is somewhat bleak in my opinion. As an ecologist, greening the built environment is one way to improve biodiversity and human connection in the cityscape.
Personally, my view is that our recreational and parks spaces are poorly developed and promoted. There is significant work to improve these and make them better spaces for public use. Similarly, with tracks throughout the city.
This is starting to look like a chapter in a Tolstoy novel, and I’m probably repeating myself. I’ve always been particularly passionate about Parks and Recreation with over 30 years involvement in the sector. Dunedin is a blank canvas of opportunities that needs advocacy and investment in my opinion, and we would do well to promote and develop it for our community and business potential.
Thanks to SPOKES for your advocacy over the years for the Peninsula project and thanks for the opportunity to give you some of my thoughts.
Ka mihi
Paul Pope