​Teviot dog park idea to be revisited with dog control review

The idea of a dog park for Roxburgh will be revisited as part of the scheduled review of the Central Otago District Council’s Dog Control Policy in 2025.

The Teviot Valley Community Board met in Roxburgh last week (Thursday 22 June 2023) for the monthly meeting, where a community brainstorming idea was discussed for consideration in the draft Long-term Plan for 2024-2034.

The idea, to establish a fenced off dog park, sparked some lively debate about whether there was a need for future-proofing dog exercise spaces, so that people travelling through Roxburgh had a safe area to let their dogs off for a run.

It was acknowledged that Roxburgh being on State Highway 8 between Dunedin and Cromwell, was a convenient stopping point for people with dogs, that could be made safer by providing a fenced area.

In the report prepared by CODC staff members, Project Manager Christina Martin, and Business Support Manager Saskia Righarts, they referred to the public consultation of the Dog Control Policy in 2020, where a site in both Cromwell and Clyde were identified as potential fenced dog parks. To be established these would need to be fenced and paid for through community-led initiatives rather than rates funding, with the Council working with the community to provide facilities within the park such as water, a waste bin, seating and shade. It was thought that a similar approach could be taken in Roxburgh with activation from the community. However, if it was to be done before the next review of Council’s dog policy in 2025, it would require public consultation.

It was resolved that the dog park idea would be revisited as part of the scheduled review of the dog policy in 2025.

The community’s ideas are being discussed by all the community boards for the draft Long-term Plan

The Vincent Community Board met last Monday (19 June) and decided its short list for the draft Long-term Plan 2024-2034considerations. Read more: VCB selects community ideas for consideration in LTP - Central Otago District Council (codc.govt.nz)

The Cromwell Community Board will meet Tuesday 20 June 2023 where the community's ideas for the draft LTP will also be discussed, and the Maniototo Community Board meets on Thursday.

The agendas can be viewed online: Agendas and Minutes : Central Otago District Council (infocouncil.biz)