Banks Peninsula council candidate Dave Dunlay says a community-led task force is working to tackle years of road noise, speed, and safety concerns around Lyttelton Harbour.
Dunlay, who has lived on Brittan Terrace for more than 20 years, said the disruption has gone on long enough.
“The noise has been relentless late-night burnouts, engines revving, and exhausts echoing across the harbour. It’s not just an annoyance; it disrupts sleep, creates stress, and really eats into people’s wellbeing. After two decades of this, I’ve reached the point where I know something has to change, not just for me, but for all the families living around the harbour,” he said.
At a public meeting last week, residents from Lyttelton through to Governors Bay turned out to discuss launching a task force and a fundraising campaign.
They plan to hire a portable speed camera to run a trial, gathering evidence of boy racers illegally activity.
Dunlay said the newly formed task force is community-driven, made up of residents from across the harbour, supported by police, local MP Dr Vanessa Weenink, and advice from the Belfast Residents’ Association which has already trialled portable cameras.
Residents are preparing to raise $4,300 to fund the trial cameras. Dunlay said the response has been positive.
“At our first meeting, we had a terrific turnout and strong support, with many people signing up to help straight away. We’ll announce fundraising details next week, and from the energy in the room, I’m very positive the community will back this.”
The portable cameras are calibrated to European standards and have already led to prosecutions in Belfast. Dunlay said the evidence they collect will provide hard data on speed, times, and locations.
“That evidence will be vital in working with police, council, and NZTA to push for stronger enforcement and smarter solutions.”
He believes the project could be a model for other areas facing similar problems. “If we can show this works around Lyttelton Harbour, it could be replicated across Christchurch and then Canterbury.”
Dunlay said his commitment to the issue is not dependent on the outcome of the local election. “If I’m elected, my first step will be to make sure council gets behind this initiative and provides the support communities need, not just talk, but real action. If I’m not elected, I’ll still be right here, working with residents, the elected councillors, and the community board to keep the momentum going. For me, this isn’t about politics – it’s about solving a problem that has affected us for far too long.”
