Development is fine but don’t ignore infrastructure

WHILE commending the DCC on forward planning in regard to Dunedin’s growth through the 2GP process, I would hope the council consider, during future consenting processes, the significant impact relatively large developments can have on the existing environment and community.

Specifically, I refer to the Tomahawk Ocean Grove proposal for up to 90 homes in a relatively small area (6ha). The 2GP appears to encourage high density development on a previously rural zoned site which currently includes regenerating native bush.

Sites such as this are very rare on the peninsula and even rarer at the Tomahawk Beach end. In the spirit of both Keep NZ Beautiful and Predator Free Peninsula, the council could, during the consent process, be forward thinking in ensuring some of the area of regeneration is retained and even part of the land be left undeveloped to provide a corridor for bird life.

Perhaps even consideration of a transitional zone within this area? At the very least require appropriate native planting as a condition of any future residential development on this site.

Hopefully, the council will also consider the impact of such a large population increase on this small community (possibly a 50% increase in housing stock) and provide relevant infrastructure improvements alongside support to the community which could include targeted developer contributions being used to update existing community facilities and dune and lagoon restoration projects.

Pauline Dicker

Ocean Grove

Bus confusion

UNTIL recently, the Calton Hill bus terminus has been as one would expect at Calton Hill — opposite the shop, the hall, the playcentre, the library bus stop, the post box and a church.

A good place to wait for those in Columba Ave, Riselaw Rd, Panmure Ave, Pladda and Mariner Sts and Waimea Ave. Now, with warning but no consultation, the terminus has been moved for no obvious reason not, as would be at least sensible although still comprehensible, to Waimea Ave but to below the overbridge in a desolate spot long before Calton Hill is reached.

The passengers from the nearby streets will still wait for the bus at the same stop opposite the shop, or possibly Waimea Ave, but with no shelter. And coming home, the choice seems to be quite a long plod uphill from the new terminus or the payment of extra fares just to get to Calton Hill. Is this a moneygrabbing exercise?

And one extra point. The bus route is Calton Hill to and from Pine Hill, but the buses are labelled Lookout Point, which, as this area is serviced by the Balaclava bus, must be a puzzle for visitors. Lindsay Gunn

Calton Hill

Live sheep trade

THIS ‘‘progressive’’ Labour Party shouldn’t leave behind its once vehement opposition to National’s reintroduction of that cruel Middle Eastern ‘‘live sheep trade’’, which it, as a ‘‘kind’’ government, is now in a position to stop. R.S. Hogan

Waikouaiti

PM’s address

I AGREE with Clive McNeill’s opinions (ODT, 7.11.18) about the PM’s address and share his feelings about the band’s performance.

We went to hear Jacinda not to be subjected to 10 minutes of deafening torture. On the other hand, the welcome made by Clarke Gayford was a delight. Noelene Ombler

St Leonards

BIBLE READING: Wait for His Son from heaven . . . Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. — 1 Thessalonians 1:10.