Submission
9 year plan feedback
Should we remove 231 Stuart Street (formerly the Fortune Theatre) from the list of strategic assets in the DCC Significance and Engagement policy?
Yes, remove 231 Stuart Street from the list of strategic assets (this is our preferred option)
Do you have any comments about 231 Stuart Street?
Should we charge an entry fee of $20 (incl. GST) for international visitors aged 16 and over, at Toitū and Dunedin Public Art Gallery?
No, do not introduce an entry fee of $20 (incl. GST)
Do you have any comments about the entry fee for international visitors?
Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
Infrastructure and Road Safety
The Strath Taieri Community Board strongly urges the Council to prioritise road safety improvements, particularly around our local schools. At present, neither school has speed reduction zones or appropriate warning signage. This poses a serious safety concern for our Tamariki, and the Board sees this as a high priority.
The STTCB also supports the return to the former frequency of kerbside mowing and vegetation control. We especially request that the Council consider the inclusion of roadside wilding pine management in the rural roads budget for the Strath Taieri area.
Grants Review
We strongly urge the Council to maintain the current community grants budget. Additionally, we ask that any new application processes introduced be fair, transparent, and accessible to all groups, including smaller rural communities.
Playground Upgrade
We would like to see the Middlemarch public playground receive new and updated play equipment. This facility is a vital resource for families in the area and contributes to the well-being of our youngest residents.
Rail Infrastructure
The Strath Taieri community fully supports the Dunedin City Council and Dunedin Railways Ltd.’s plan to make full use of the existing rail line between Dunedin and Middlemarch. Revitalising this route would bring significant social and economic benefits to our region and support the growth of rural tourism.
Climate Change
The Strath Taieri Community Board supports the Council’s climate change goals, particularly the reduction of emissions. We ask for Council support to help our community become more resilient through:
• Easier access to recycling stations in rural areas, including Hindon, and the development of larger facilities in Lee Stream.
• Simplified processes for locals to become approved contractors for basic Council services, such as lawn mowing and refuse collection.
• Improved and more frequent Council communication with rural communities, particularly during adverse events.
Swimming Pool Upgrade
While we support the planned upgrades to Moana Pool, we urge the Council not to overlook the Middlemarch community pool. This facility is aging and will soon require major investment, including a new roof. It remains a vital community asset, supporting recreational use, fitness, and most importantly, children’s swimming lessons.
Urban Centre Upgrade
As part of the Urban Centres Upgrade initiative, we would like to see the Middlemarch town centre developed to support both increased visitor numbers and future residential growth. Strath Taieri is the northernmost township in the Dunedin city region, and improved visual appeal would provide a welcoming gateway to greater Dunedin.
Heritage Action Plan
We request the inclusion of a local heritage precinct in the Council’s Heritage Action Plan. This precinct would encompass community-led management of the Middlemarch, Sutton, and Pukerangi train stations. We believe such an initiative would provide significant rural tourism benefits and cultural value for greater Dunedin.
Local Water Done Well feedback
Which water services delivery model do you support?
The Council’s preferred option: an in-house delivery model
Why did you choose this option?
As the Strath Taieri Community Board, we support the preferred option in principle; however, we strongly emphasise the need for thorough and meaningful consultation.
For example, the proposed 408% increase in sewage connection charges for Middlemarch is unsustainable and poses a significant barrier to growth. As a community, we are actively working to encourage people to live, work, and play in the Strath Taieri. Middlemarch has a range of council-funded assets, including a library, swimming pool, museum, parks, and sports fields, as well as a local school with both current capacity and the potential to expand. These are valuable resources that support economic development and community well-being in our region.
We are concerned that the council’s proposal to impose an additional $48,000 sewage connection fee on any new builds undermines this goal. This fee represents approximately half the value of an average section in Middlemarch and risks making development in our area unviable.
We also urge the council to apply common sense in its approach to stormwater management. Asking residents to disconnect from stormwater systems, only to then charge ratepayers for a truck to travel from Dunedin to flush the lines, is a prime example of inefficient and wasteful spending. A more practical, cost-effective approach is needed — one that reflects the realities of small communities and the need to prioritise value for money.
All residents in the Strath Taieri area are responsible for sourcing their own drinking water, whether through bores, rainwater collection, or nearby stream takes. The region is prone to drought, as well as extreme weather events that can result in major flooding. In light of this, we ask that the council prioritise improved flood protection for Middlemarch — not only to safeguard residents' drinking water supplies but also to protect properties vulnerable to flood damage.
As a Community Board, we also acknowledge the importance of the Taieri River as a vital part of our environment, supporting recreation, farming, and native habitats. We respectfully request that the Dunedin City Council work in partnership with the Otago Regional Council to recognise and protect the river's significance to the Strath Taieri Community.
We respectfully urge the council to reconsider the scale and impact of the proposed charges, and to work in genuine partnership with our community to develop a more balanced and sustainable approach — one that supports both immediate growth and long-term resilience in Strath Taieri.
Do you have any other feedback related to the proposed water services delivery models?
As the Strath Taieri Community Board, we support the preferred option in principle; however, we strongly emphasise the need for thorough and meaningful consultation.
For example, the proposed 408% increase in sewage connection charges for Middlemarch is unsustainable and poses a significant barrier to growth. As a community, we are actively working to encourage people to live, work, and play in the Strath Taieri. Middlemarch has a range of council-funded assets, including a library, swimming pool, museum, parks, and sports fields, as well as a local school with both current capacity and the potential to expand. These are valuable resources that support economic development and community well-being in our region.
We are concerned that the council’s proposal to impose an additional $48,000 sewage connection fee on any new builds undermines this goal. This fee represents approximately half the value of an average section in Middlemarch and risks making development in our area unviable.
We also urge the council to apply common sense in its approach to stormwater management. Asking residents to disconnect from stormwater systems, only to then charge ratepayers for a truck to travel from Dunedin to flush the lines, is a prime example of inefficient and wasteful spending. A more practical, cost-effective approach is needed — one that reflects the realities of small communities and the need to prioritise value for money.
All residents in the Strath Taieri area are responsible for sourcing their own drinking water, whether through bores, rainwater collection, or nearby stream takes. The region is prone to drought, as well as extreme weather events that can result in major flooding. In light of this, we ask that the council prioritise improved flood protection for Middlemarch — not only to safeguard residents' drinking water supplies but also to protect properties vulnerable to flood damage.
As a Community Board, we also acknowledge the importance of the Taieri River as a vital part of our environment, supporting recreation, farming, and native habitats. We respectfully request that the Dunedin City Council work in partnership with the Otago Regional Council to recognise and protect the river's significance to the Strath Taieri Community.
We respectfully urge the council to reconsider the scale and impact of the proposed charges, and to work in genuine partnership with our community to develop a more balanced and sustainable approach — one that supports both immediate growth and long-term resilience in Strath Taieri.
Supporting information
No associated documents with this submission.
Submitter
Submission id number: 1132198
Submitter name:
Terina Geddes
Organisation
Strath Taieri Community Board