Chris Morris

Dunedin still needs its long-awaited library to help revitalise the suburb, Dunedin city councillors have been reminded.

The University of Otago should make a ''contribution'' to the Dunedin City Council in return for students being given preferential access to Logan Park, a councillor suggested yesterday.

Dunedin businesses are calling on the city council to maintain its support for an internship programme designed to keep bright young minds in the city.

Dunedin city councillors have questioned whether a public referendum might be needed to decide the future of the city's fluoridated water supply, after dozens of submissions calling for an end to the practice.

Dunedin could be missing out on millions of dollars each year because it is not doing enough to cater for cycling tourism, a cycling advocacy group says.

Dunedin is at an ''economic crossroads'' and must choose between a clean, green future and the search for oil and gas, environmental advocates say.

The Dunedin Film Festival could be lost if the Otago Theatre Trust - which runs the Regent Theatre - is left to cover rising compliance costs without help from the Dunedin City Council, councillors have heard.

Community boards in Dunedin are warning the increasing cost of landfill charges could lead to more illegal dumping in rural areas.

A failed boiler has only added to costs faced by the Dunedin Gasworks Museum Trust, which needs $1 million a year to ensure the museum's survival, board members say.

The Dunedin City Council will have to juggle tight budgets and pleas for extra spending - including calls for progress on an $18 million Mosgiel pool - when the latest budget meeting begins this week.