The section of road from Anzac Ave to the entrance to the Dunedin Railway Station will be made into a pedestrian mall, restricting almost all vehicles from the strip in front of the historic building.
After considering the 46 written submissions on the proposal and verbal submissions during a hearing process, independent commissioner Louise Taylor has declared the area a pedestrian mall.
Organisations such as the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame, Dunedin Railways and the Otago Art Society supported the proposal.
Those against or who wanted major changes included Cobb & Co and Good Company Tours.
A notice about the decision was published in the Otago Daily Times on Saturday.
Any challenge to the decision needs to be made to the Environment Court within 30 working days of the notice being published.
The mall can be created once the appeal period has finished or the challenges have been heard.
New coach and bus parking will be created in Anzac Ave and Castle St, while parking spaces have been set aside for Otago Art Society members and those in need of disability parks.
While all vehicles will be prohibited from the area, there will be exceptions at specified times for trade and other vehicles for activities such as rubbish collection.
Emergency vehicles would still be allowed enter at any time.
The council received 46 submissions on the proposal, of which 40 supported the proposal and six were opposed, a staff report prepared for the hearing said.
The main issues raised included the benefits of pedestrianisation, improved pedestrian safety and the area's look and feel. Some submitters also wanted to ensure access was maintained for people with mobility issues and for emergency and delivery vehicles.
A new taxi stand will be installed in Stuart St, outside the Dunedin District Court, and pick-up and drop-off parking will be available at the southern end of the railway station.
Several car parks will be lost in front of the railway station and on Castle St.
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Comments
Good to hear, what's the point of a beautiful building when it's delights are obscured by tour buses all day?
Independent commissioners are just like government appointed enquiries: they are never appointed unless the outcome is already known.
This is just another silly decision from the myopic anti car DCC and councilors.
It is interesting to note that several of the mayoral candidates have no policies other than closing off more of Dunedin to bikes only. Let's hope the people of Dunedin see most of these posers off in the elections.
Dunedin needs to progress, note return to the days of horse and cart and bike.