Dunedin (Monday, 28 May 2018) – The Dunedin City Council and Port Otago Ltd today announced a significant investment programme to restore and develop the Te Rauone beach and reserve over the next three years.

During the past century, the sea has eroded the beach, causing significant issues for the
environment and community. The adjoining reserve is the only public area available to the Ōtākou and the lower Peninsula community and is popular for recreation and viewing ships.

DCC Chief Executive Officer Sue Bidrose says, “Te Rauone, on the Otago Peninsula, is a site that has rich Māori heritage and historical significance for Dunedin. We are really pleased to be involved in this project and will be responsible for designing and developing a dramatically improved reserve for locals and visitors alike.

“I have made a couple of visits to the reserve in recent times. Some of the facilities have seen better days and so a redevelopment in partnership with the local community has to be the best way forward.”

Port Otago Ltd Chief Executive Kevin Winders says the port’s investment will focus on re-instating the beach and its ongoing maintenance. “We have worked with engineering consultants BECA to design a groyne rock wall configuration that will sustain the beach as much as possible.

“Alongside the DCC’s investment in the reserve, the Te Rauone community’s vision can hopefully be realised in full within three years.”

The project will be overseen by a working party, which includes DCC and Port Otago staff, as well as representatives from the local rūnanga, the Te Rauone Beach Coast Care Committee and the Otago Peninsula Community Board. In coming months, the local community will be invited to workshops to discuss what they would like to see included in the reserve project design.

Te Rauone Beach Coast Care Committee Chairman Graeme Burns says the project will provide a tremendous asset and facility for the immediate and wider Dunedin community, as well as for tourists and future generations.

“It’s has been a long time since the first concept was presented to the Te Rauone community – more than 10 years – and, although there have been changes and setbacks, the community now has a project close to being achieved.

“This joint project includes the Te Rauone Incorporation and our local rūnanga. We are grateful for the support, understanding, expert advice and planning brought together by all involved to achieve a positive outcome.”

The project will be carried out in three phases.
• Design work and start development of the reserve.
• Obtain consent and build the three groyne structures that will protect the beach.
• Ongoing sand replenishment of the beach.

Port Otago has agreed to contribute to the cost of the beach reinstatement alongside Te Rauone Beach Coast Care Committee and the community, while the DCC will fund $900,000 from existing Parks and Recreation budgets over a three-year period.

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