Notification of decision on Plan Change 7 To re-zone the Dunedin harbourside

The decision confirms the re-zoning of the area defined by the harbour edge, Thomas Burns Street, Mason Street, Birch Street, French Street and Buller Street from Port 2 and Industrial 1 to Harbourside, in two stages.

The new zone seeks to provide a mixed-use environment with a range of compatible land uses and accessible public open spaces along the Inner Basin. In greeting the decision DCC Chief Executive, Jim Harland, said "This will work towards the creation of a harbourside that is a vibrant and attractive place to live, work and visit."

The decision involves minor amendments to the provisions of the Harbourside Zone as publicly notified, including the character areas, structure plans and the Harbourside Design Code.

The decision follows the hearing in July 2008 by Independent Hearing Commissioners Roger Tasker (Chair) and John Lumsden. The decision is notified alongside the decision on Proposed Plan Change 1 (Harbourside) to the Regional Plan: Coast for Otago, a request made by the Dunedin City Council to the Otago Regional Council.

The Commissioners have also released decisions to confirm the two Notices of Requirement to designate areas for the Fairley Street Walkway, both the northern and southern sections. The two designations which are identified in the harbourside vision as amenity areas and pedestrian connections between the city centre and the harbourside have been slightly modified by the Commissioners but will still achieve the original intention of the Council.

A decision on the Notice of Requirement for the designation relating to the road realignment onto 41 Wharf Street is still pending and will be released at a later date. The Commissioners' are dealing directly with submitters to assist in making their decision.

The decisions on the plan change and the notices of requirement will be subject to an appeal period. With regard to the Notice of Requirement submitters have 15 working days within which to lodge an appeal with the Environment Court. Submitters to the plan change have 30 working days within which to lodge an appeal, with appeals closing around 1 April.

The Plan Change will enable the Council, developers and other stakeholders to give effect to the vision for Dunedin's harbourside which aims to:

Create new public amenity spaces on the waterfront and access to the water for recreational use
Encourage greater recreational and tourist use of the harbour and development of new business opportunities
Enable the transformation of the wharf-sheds and Fryatt Street area through encouraging cafes and bars, and recreational and tourism uses
Encourage a mix of land uses, including housing, retail, commercial and tourism uses to develop alongside existing industrial activity
Improve public access to the area by creating new pedestrian and vehicular crossings across the road and rail corridor.

Mr Harland stressed that the Plan Change is about putting in place appropriate rules so that the implementation of the harbourside vision can proceed. "We want to make Dunedin's harbourside an area which is easily accessible and provides the sort of environment and facilities which will make people want to spend time there. The Plan Change is an important step in turning that vision into reality and achieving some traction on the harbourside." Mr Harland also recognised the fact that the redevelopment is unlikely to take place in the current economic climate, but that this is a 50-year vision for our city.

Contact details

Contact Jim Harland - Chief Executive on 03 477 4000.

Last reviewed: 17 Feb 2009 10:19am