Hi Recurve - Welcome!
I'm near Donnybrook - colder than you in winter, but mine do work thru winter when the weather is sunny. I'm pretty new to beekeeping; so far hives have all made it thru each winter- a little depleted in number in spring or late spring. I have rugged them a few times when we had a week of frosts, but don't usually have to feed or do anything special. If I fed thru cold winter weather, wud probably be a stronger hive in spring, but I am a hobbyist, so do what I have time for.I have always made sure the hives were sited to gain the sun early and are not in the shade really. I made the mistake of leaving one in a shady position in the garden and it really was hard work to bring them back to a healthy hive
As you are on the coast you should be OK and there should be enough forage on sunny days. Any bush nearby? Capeweed flowers early on many farms.
Good luck with your bees.
Hollie.