Issues and opportunities for the harbour will be explored in a report due to be completed next month for the Otago Regional Council, Dunedin City Council and mana whenua.
The city council hosted a workshop on the subject this week.
Themes included affirmations of the harbour’s importance for trade, recreation and identity, its value for the Ōtākou hapū, supporting public connections with the harbour, ecological health and a curious lack of waterfront hospitality venues.
Ōtākou rūnaka head Edward Ellison said the harbour was central to the city and its wellbeing.
City councillor Kevin Gilbert said tourists were perplexed by a lack of cafes and restaurants on the harbour edge.
Cr Sophie Barker spoke of the city "turning towards the harbour", including through its events.
Cr Christine Garey said the harbour offered a prized view and this could sometimes be taken for granted. She was eager to see continued development of a shared path beside the harbour.
Cr Brent Weatherall said preservation of wildlife had to be prioritised and Cr Mandy Mayhem raised resilience for low-lying communities.
Regional council chairwoman Gretchen Robertson said the harbour was a huge asset for the economy and it was "one of the most beautiful areas, anywhere".
Cr Andrew Whiley said development of an inland port could enable more productive use of the harbour area.
He doubted Port Otago’s property arm was making the "best use of assets".
Other issues raised at the workshop included climate change, the condition of Otago Peninsula roading, maintenance of the channel and looking after water quality.
The regional council selected Morphum Environmental to write the report due next month.
The writing team also includes Aukaha, Studio Pacific Architecture and the University of Otago’s department of marine science.
