Monday 13 July 2026
The Otago Regional Council (ORC) is carrying out community engagement from 13 July to 10 August with the aim of gathering feedback and lived experience that will help everyone better understand issues and opportunities for Otago’s coastal environment.
ORC is responsible for managing how natural resources are used, protected, and improved in Otago’s coastal marine area, and wants to know the community’s vision for how the Otago coastal environment should be managed in the future.
Part of this is learning how people think about and connect with the coast, what they enjoy, value, and are concerned about. Everyone’s insights into coastal places and the issues that matter will help guide future decisions about how these areas are best managed.
Portfolio lead Councillor Kate Wilson says, “We want to hear firsthand about people’s experiences of water quality, beach access and biodiversity. We know sea lions are making a comeback in many places, but what else is happening in your spot? Is your favourite walking track getting a little too close to the cliff edge? What do you love most about the coast? Is it the headlands, the surf breaks, being able to walk your horse on the beach?”
“If you live in coastal Otago or just love to be beside the seaside, we want your perspective on issues facing our coastline - things like erosion, changes to habitat, competing activities, public access — and we also want to know what Otago residents think potential opportunities are. Is there a future for aquaculture? Our wildlife is a huge attraction, should we be making more of tourism opportunities and looking to improve access? By sharing your views, you’ll help shape plans that protect and enhance the coast and how we can better let people enjoy what it offers. We also want to know what is working or not working in the current Coastal Plan.”
There will be a series of drop ins held in coastal community venues. Please consider coming along and giving staff your thoughts. You can come by at any time during the session.
Drop by at any time during an in-person session or tune in for a presentation and Q&A online and let us know what you think about Otago’s coast.
| Drop-in location | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Balclutha: Te Pou Ō Mata-Au | Clutha District War Memorial & Community Centre, 6 Clyde St | Tuesday, 21 July | 3–6pm |
| Dunedin: ORC Aonui Foyer, 180 High St | Thursday, 23 July | 3–6pm |
| Dunedin: South Coast Boardriders Association, 1 Esplanade, St Clair | Saturday, 25 July | 10am–1pm |
| Karitāne: Puketeraki Marae, 520 Apes Rd | Tuesday, 28 July | 3–6pm |
| Ōamaru: Forrester Gallery, 9 Thames St | Wednesday, 5 August | 4–7pm |
| Online: orc.govt.nz/coastonline | Monday, 3 August | 7–8.30pm |
ORC has prepared a discussion document and an online survey which opens today and can be found here: www.orc.govt.nz/otagocoast
