Dark Brightness

There has been a move to open up the harbour and build apartments there in Dunedin. This is going to affect the industrial base — and the potential for expansion if (and when) there is more oil.

Dr Henry said Dunedin was central to all the activity – aside from that further south in the Great South Basin – and noted both the ports of Bluff and Timaru were working on proposals to become the shore base for future exploration.During the exploration drilling phase, a shore base would require space for storing drilling equipment, an airport from which to operate helicopters, and fuelling facilities for supply vessels.Ultimately, if an oilfield was brought into production, 3000-5000 jobs would be created onshore, with a requirement for office space, storage space, catering, construction and wharf space that could operate “24/7″.Dr Henry considered such a base would not add to the noise made by existing industries in the harbourside area.One of the big issues for bases in other countries was traffic.Oil would not be brought to a shore base but would be loaded directly from rigs to ships for transport to refineries.The Otago Chamber of Commerce and industries in the harbourside area are campaigning against the council's plan change.They said Dunedin's role in offshore oil exploration could be threatened by introducing apartments, cafes and restaurants to the area.

via Oil expert delivers harbourside warning | Otago Daily Times Online News.

There are plenty of places where one can build apartments and the “smart growth” stuff. There is a lovely surf beach. There is the length of the Southern Peninsula.

And there will be very little difference in access to work from there. If the council wants smart growth, there is room to put apartments in the CBD. There is still empty land — in town and out of town.

Finally, Dunedin is and industrial city and should continue to have this aspect to it. It balances the University. It gives employment and retains craft skills. We cannot survive by being a yuppie, twee city. (That niche is taken in NZ: Nelson, Gisbourne, Raglan — all of which are more conducive to living in board shorts year round.

The harbourside should remain industrial. The twee stuff can be at Portobello.