A Sunshine, Dunedin, resident's idea for a Dubai-style island in the shape of a Southern Royal Albatross at the Portsmouth Dr end of Otago harbour was greeted with smiles from Dunedin city councillors near the end of a long day hearing submissions on its annual plan/long-term plan yesterday.
In a submission presented by his neighbour Tony Mole, Andrew McLennan, who was unavailable to attend the hearing, said he was a designer specialising in architecture.
After moving to Dunedin from Waiheke island two years ago, he was surprised there was such an under-utilised foreshore area as alongside Portsmouth Dr, in a major city.
He said the 900m by 320m island in the shape of a gliding albatross would be constructed from reclaimed land, would have two beaches, be planted out in native plants and have several paths on it for pedestrians and cyclists.
Mr Mole said his neighbour realised the idea was probably unlikely to take off because the council was "skint", but he simply wanted to put it on the table as something to think about.
