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Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Urban planning gives town ‘deferential' treatment
Arrowtown. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY An independent commissioner has questioned why Arrowtown should receive special treatment when it comes to the Queenstown Lakes District Council's proposed urban intensification variation. Hearing panel chairman David Allen, commissioner Ian Munro and Wanaka-based district councillor Lyal Cocks began the first week of submissions hearings on the proposal in Arrowtown yesterday. The variation seeks to amend the proposed district plan by increasing heights and densities in residential and business zones close to the commercial centres in Queenstown, Arrowtown, Frankton and Wanaka to enable intensification of development. It stems from a government mandate — policy 5 of the National Policy Statement for Urban Development — that urban centres have to zone for denser, more affordable housing. Almost 40% of submissions received came from Arrowtown residents or ratepayers, many of whom were horrified at the possibility of 12m-high housing — 11m plus a pitched roof — in the historic village, which could apply to 266 medium density-zoned properties. In a report to the panel, council resource management policy principal planner Amy Bowbyes recommended a rule be amended for that zone in Arrowtown, to enable a building height of 9m (8m plus a pitched roof), which was essentially two-storey development. In the lower density suburban residential zone in Arrowtown, she recommended a height of 6.5m, and restricted discretionary building height band of 6.5m to 8m. However, Mr Munro yesterday challenged the council's lawyer, Sarah Scott, of Simpson Grierson, on that. "I've had the, I'd say, pleasure of being invited to be a commissioner for nearly 40 years in this district, and it is just not the case that only Arrowtown has beautiful residential streets, one or two-storey houses, and has charming views of the [outstanding natural landscapes] behind them ... and extremely rich character and very high [amenity] values," he said. "Why does nowhere else in this district's urban zones get the same deferential balancing of this character and amenity if it's a valid resource consent management way to apply policy5? "The question is, if it's good for one part of the district ... why would we not ask for the same approach to be used elsewhere, too?" Ms Scott said there were "bespoke provisions" for other parts of the district, but from a legal perspective, Arrowtown's special recommendation was in the operative district plan (ODP) and proposed district plan (PDP). "Perhaps Arrowtown people have fought harder ... but the facts are, it's in the PDP, it was in the ODP and it's been recognised for some time." She told the panel the district-wide variation amends the proposed plan by increasing heights and densities in some urban zones, and by amending provisions to recognise the benefits of intensification, to ensure adequate amenity values were provided for within intensification areas, and to ensure intensification can be serviced. "It's very hard to draw a line in the sand here, but it essentially requires almost a merits-based assessment of the changes requested — it is actually about ensuring that the greater densities can ... be realised." Mr Munro questioned how that was not contradictory as it pertained to the discussion about Arrowtown. "The purpose of this plan change is ... to investigate what the correct amenity values and intensification areas are [across the district]. "Surely that opens the ability of submitters to say the correct amenity values in [their] intensification area is to have less intensification?" While Ms Scott said the council had treated such submissions as "out of scope", there was a pathway for the panel to respond to them. The hearing continues.
Otago Daily Times
24-07-2025
- Climate
- Otago Daily Times
Care urged as more frost forecast
PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY A Toyota Hilux lies on its side after hitting black ice in Ravensbourne Rd and tumbling down a steep bank about 5.30am yesterday. Dunedin police are urging drivers to take extra care as frosty weather is forecast to continue for the next couple of days.
Otago Daily Times
23-07-2025
- Climate
- Otago Daily Times
Another icy start: Hilux tumbles down bank
The Hilux landed on its side after tumbling down a bank in Ravensbourne this morning. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY Another frosty morning and a warning from police to keep safe on icy roads, with crashes reported in Dunedin and Canterbury. A Toyota Hilux tumbled down a steep bank just before 5.30am today after hitting black ice on Ravensbourne Rd. It landed beside the Ravensdown fertiliser works and the driver was uninjured. Contractors have been called to repair the fence. The city awoken to a heavy frost with roads and cars covered in ice down to sea level. The Dunedin City Council said frost and black ice were widespread and care was needed on roads and footpaths, especially in shaded areas "Our contractors have been out checking and treating main roads as required." Balaclava School principal Gary Marsh said it would be another 10am start for Dunedin primary and intermediate schools, as well as kindergardens. In Central Otago, it was another hard frost, with black ice likely and the odd pocket of fog still hanging about from yesterday, a spokeswoman for the district council said. Temperatures ranged from -8°C to 1°C. In the Queenstown Lakes District, road crews have been busy this morning checking out any frosty sections on the main routes. A spokesman said there was a real mix of temperatures, with Hāwea Flat sitting at -7°C, Arrowtown at -6°C and the Crown Range "balmy" 3.5°C. "Parts of Queenstown Hill still continue to be a bit frosty since they hide in amongst the shade all day, and generally, we'd recommend being extra careful if you're walking, riding, or driving around any hilly suburbs near Queenstown today. "Also important to be careful when driving on any loose grit around the network - this can be slippery too. Pay extra attention when approaching intersections with grit on the road, and start to slow down in a more gentle, and earlier fashion to avoid any skids." Further north, a number of crashes have been reported in the Canterbury region, police said early this morning. "Fortunately no one has been seriously injured. "Please - slow down, watch your following distance, and use your headlights. We want everyone to get where they're going safely this morning." - ODT Online
Otago Daily Times
22-07-2025
- Climate
- Otago Daily Times
Black ice warning
Road users in the lower South Island are warned to take extra care this morning due to black ice, fog and freezing temperatures. Emergency services were called to a crash Caversham Valley Rd at Calton Hill in Dunedin after a car slid off the road and into a tree. A police spokeswoman said the crash happened at 4.20am and was probably due to black ice but the driver was not injured. A tow truck was at the site just after 5am. The Dunedin City Council is reporting treacherous conditions due to widespread frost and extreme caution is required. Grit trucks have been out. Severe frost has been reported in Mosgiel, with a temperature of -5°C. Some schools have delayed opening until 10am. Flights at Dunedin Airport have been postponed or cancelled due to conditions. Central Otago In Central Otago, it's another frosty start with thick fog hanging about and freezing temperatures around Alexandra/Clyde, Cromwell and Patearoa areas. Temperatures ranged from -6°C to 1°C and caution is advised due to black ice, particularly in the foggy areas, as well as shaded areas and bridge decks, a spokeswoman for the district council said. "Remember to turn your headlights on dipped in foggy conditions. "We are already seeing ice issues out on the network and teams are out gritting." Queenstown Lakes District It's also icy throughout the Queenstown Lakes District, a spokesman for the council says. Fernhill and Queenstown Hill areas are white with frost. Grit has been applied to some sections of road and also top patches of Glenorchy-Queenstown Rd, with more frosty sections there reported. Arrowtown and Arrow Junction were well into negative temperatures - grit and de-icing spray have been applied in areas around Dalefield and along Malaghans Rd. "Over in the Upper Clutha, the de-icing spray looks to be doing a good job and largely keeping winter conditions from affecting main routes in Wānaka, Hāwea, and Cardrona. Crown Range is looking good - but still, care is always required. "There's a bit of fog hanging around and with some spots either being affected by negative temperatures or damp spots that haven't dried out, it's important you drive with care today, watch for icy spots, and keep your speeds down in case of the odd slippery spot you can't see on the road ahead," he said. A runner paces fuel tanker Yong Ao as it enters the upper Otago Harbour yesterday. Sailing under a Chinese flag, the tanker is 183m long with a width of 32m and was launched in 2022. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY Frosty starts but fine days for rest of week Dunedin can expect frosty starts and "a lot of fairly fine days" for the rest of the week. MetService meteorologist Braydon White said cold and dry conditions were set to continue until at least the end of the week. Otago and Southland have been dominated by a large ridge of high pressure, which created the conditions. "Dunedin and Otago conditions are going to be cold and frosty," Mr White said. "We've see a lot of those very cold temperatures lately and they're set to continue." No major cloudy periods or rain were expected and it looked like there will be a lot of fairly fine days," he said. Mr White said there might be a change in the weather pattern towards the end of the weekend. There was a chance there would be some high cloud might cover in the South but weather systems were "pretty static" all round. Dunedin and Oamaru would have highs of between 10°C and 15°C for the rest of the week. Alexandra and Queenstown would also experience cold and dry weather in the high single digits. However, those temperatures would rise into the early teens over the weekend. Mr White said it was a "very similar story" for Southland, Gore and Invercargill. "Some of their lows start to warm up towards Friday. It's very stagnant." - additional repoting ODT Online
Otago Daily Times
22-07-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Public feedback sought on Harbour Cone management plan
A freight train through Blanket Bay in 2020 has Hereweka/Harbour Cone on the Otago Peninsula as its backdrop. A management plan for the area is to be revised. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY Management of a distinctive landmark on the Otago Peninsula is set to be reviewed. The Dunedin City Council is seeking public feedback about the future of Hereweka/Harbour Cone. The council bought the 328ha property in 2008 "to protect its significant landscape, ecological, heritage and cultural values and in recognition of its potential recreational and tourist values". It is looking to update a 2012 management plan. The property includes a hiking track to the cone summit, pasture cover and historical ties to nearby Larnach Castle. A 2008 report described the property as having potential to offer Dunedin citizens and tourists "a glimpse of an intact historic landscape typical of 19th- and early 20th-century settlement on the Otago Peninsula". Kāi Tahu have also had a long association with the area. In 2015, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the council and a management trust board. The council said in a report last month a comprehensive review would ensure the plan was relevant regarding issues, opportunities, technology and best practices. The property is not classified as a reserve, but the council is using a process described in the Reserves Act. "This will maintain consistency with other management plans and ensure a robust public consultation process," the council said. The initial consultation period runs until August 18.
