This St Clair-St Kilda coast is very important to Dunedin for many reasons. It protects our community from storms and tsunamis, it provides wonderful health and recreational opportunities on land and in the sea, it creates habitats for wildlife, and it inspires our stories, arts, and culture.
As sea levels rise and storms become more frequent, we know that the issues we face today will get worse. We know that the way we manage the beach at present is not sustainable or cost-effective in the long-term, and we know we need to do things differently.
Reaching a solution for the whole stretch of coast needs collaboration and discussion so that we all understand the challenges we face and so that members of the community can share what is most important to them and what they’d like to see happen in the future.
The plan for this coastline needs to balance many things like protection from coastal hazards (e.g. tsunami and storm surge), enhancement of the natural character, and benefits for wildlife and amenities in the area. The community's views on what a resilient future looks like is incredibly important to us.
Our goal
By early 2021 we intend to have a vision and plan for the coast from St Clair to St Kilda. The vision will capture what is valued and what is committed to as a long-term outcome for this coast. The plan will set out the steps we will take in the short, medium, and long-term to achieve the vision and to manage the coast.
The DCC is committed to an inclusive process, and we want your ideas. There are many ways to have your say and get involved, and we want to hear from as many people as possible. Please come along and get involved – the plan will only be made better with your involvement.