Closing night time access to the car park at one of Dunedin’s best sites for viewing the Milky Way, aurora, sunrises and sunsets has angered many — particularly the city’s photographers.
Dozens of people took to the Dunedin City Council’s Facebook page at the weekend, to complain about the council closing its new-look Tunnel Beach carpark at night.
The carpark is open every day from 8am to 9pm, from September to March, and from 9am to 5pm from April to August.
A council spokesman said the carpark was closed at night because one of the resource consent conditions for the site was there would be no freedom camping permitted there.
Many commenters said it was a regressive move and a major safety issue.
"Anybody that wants to go and watch a sunrise in the morning, it’s a beautiful spot for Dunedin locals or tourists.
"So I’m not happy for the public."
He said it would not be an issue if the council had provided other parking along the road outside the gate.
"But at the moment, you can’t because they’ve put big boulders and gardens along the side of the road."
"It’s not safe to park there, or on Blackhead Rd after hours. It’s a notorious road for accidents."
Photographer Trev Hill said it was not just photographers who visited the site.
"I’ve done some really early mornings there and I’m not the only person on the track.
"There are walkers that have been doing this for years and years and years.
"I saw a young girl down there writing poetry, because early in the morning, it’s so still, you’re in among nature with the birds and the sound of the ocean.
"It’s just lovely — really peaceful.
"It’s not just about taking pictures, it’s about enjoying Tunnel Beach. Why would you make it harder for people to access the area at the best time of day?
"It doesn’t make any sense. It’s not very inclusive."
He said the closure meant he would now have to park in Corstorphine and walk to the site.
"It would be better if council left it open and have warning signs telling freedom campers not to park there, and have people come in and sting them if they do.
"That makes more sense and it makes it free for all."
He agreed parking in Blackhead Rd would be dangerous.
"I think it’s a dodgy road and I would hate for something to happen to someone walking there at night."
In another online comment, a Dunedin resident said he believed it would encourage "some iffy parking" in the surrounding area, because photographers would not be keen to walk far with expensive and heavy camera gear in the dark.
"Since you have used photos of aurora from Tunnel Beach in advertising previously, I feel like it makes sense to actually have some accessibility to the spot for said experience."
A council spokesman said it was aware of the concerns from photographers.
Submitters to the consent process had also asked that other nearby on-street parking areas were removed as part of the redevelopment, the spokesman said.
"There are still limited spaces for parking further along Tunnel Beach Rd and on Blackhead Rd, a short walk from the Tunnel Beach track, and the beach and its stunning scenery remain available to night sky photographers.
"There are also many other accessible cliff spots along the coastline available for photographers as well."
