Council's U-turn over secret meeting on 'anti-social behaviour' at bus hub
By reporter Hamish McNeilly:
Anti-social behaviour at Dunedin’s bus hub has led to a secret trial – including on-bus security, a previously public excluded council memo has revealed.
The bus hub on Great King St – the same street as the Dunedin Central Police Station – has made headlines for all the wrong reasons since it opened in March 2019.
The incidents, some of which were caught on video and supplied to Stuff, included a girl kicking a disabled man in the head, and teenage boys fighting each other. One Dunedin high school told its students to arrive at the hub just five minutes before their bus departed.
An agenda item, previously withheld from the public, reveals the council was seeking "approval for the continuation of the Dunedin bus network security trial for the remaining eight months of the 2023-24 financial year".
It noted an increasing volume of antisocial behaviour on the Dunedin bus network has been reported in the media, and to the council throughout the last year.
"The presence of a network of CCTV cameras, and a police station, in the bus hub has not significantly impacted these behaviours," the agenda item said.
"Anti-social behaviour in and around public transport settings is not unique to Dunedin."
Transport staff implemented a trial security presence at the bus hub, beginning December 2022, which has led to a decline incidents.
Further incidents in March 2023, and feedback from transport operators, led to the trial security services extended "to cover a targeted security presence on buses".
"They provide a visible presence to deter bad behaviour and are trained at de-escalation."
The funding allocated for the security trial is due to expire end-November 2023 and the council’s transport staff were seeking an extension of this trial to the end of the financial year.
The cuncil was asked to continue that security trial to June 30, 2024, at a cost of $126,000.
"Withdrawing the on-bus service increases the potential for driver assaults, robberies, and other incidents that have occurred over the past two years or more on the Dunedin network," the agenda said.
Poll: Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲
The Environmental Protection Authority announced this week that a proposed mine in Central Otago (near Cromwell) is about to enter its fast-track assessment process. A final decision could come within six months, and if it’s approved, construction might start as early as mid-2026.
We want to know: Should mining projects like this move ahead?
Keen to dig deeper? Mike White has the scoop.
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53.1% Yes
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46.9% No
‘Tis the season to not get scammed ...
As Christmas gift shopping moves increasingly online, scammers are ramping up their activity across the country.
Dunedin’s Investigation Support Unit is seeing more and more people fall victim to scams and other fraudulent activity, particularly on Facebook Marketplace.
There are a few ways to avoid the scams and keep yourself safe doing online trades this holiday season, says Southern District Service Delivery Manager Senior Sergeant Dalton.
🔒 “A good first step when looking to purchase something on Marketplace is to check when the seller’s Facebook profile was created. If it’s very recent, there is a higher risk that they have just created this account for a one-off fake item.”
🔒 Another important step is to make sure the seller’s profile name and bank account name match up. “We’re seeing a lot of scammers claiming their bank account name is different because it belongs to their partner or family member - that’s a huge red flag."
🔒 “When you’re selling, never trust a screenshot anyone sends you showing that payment has been made. Check your own bank account to make sure a payment has gone through."
🔒 “Quite frankly, it’s best for all parties to agree to pay, or be paid, for items in cash and in-person. Ideally in a public place with CCTV coverage."
🔒 "If you’re buying a car, check Carjam.co.nz to see if it’s stolen or if there’s money owed on it.”
A reminder: Suspicious activity can be reported on 105
🚒 Our Fire and Emergency crews have been kept busy lately
And they’re once again reminding everyone: please don’t light fires when it’s windy.
Central Otago will move into a restricted fire season from 1 December 2025, which means anyone planning an outdoor fire will need to apply for a permit and plan ahead.
So we’d love to ask you — how do you make sure you’re being fire-safe at this time of year?
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