Temporary weirs will be placed in the lower Water of Leith in Dunedin to improve the look of the concrete flood channel, described as "appalling", "godforsaken" and "sterile", hopefully in time for the Rugby World Cup games in Dunedin.
The Otago Regional Council decided this week to spend about $30,000 trialling weirs in the channel to enhance the area visually.
Chief executive Graeme Martin said the area was now much more open to the public and the council needed to do maintenance, such as tidying up weeds and removing exposed reinforcing bars.
He also suggested to the council that it could be worthwhile placing two temporary 50cm weirs downstream of Anzac Ave to contain water in the channel and prevent the channel floor being exposed, in time for the summer season.
"Given the experimental nature of this, we'll make every effort to have it reasonably in place by the end of August."
If the council could secure the consents for the work, he believed good amenity improvements could be made for $30,000. As the council had been rating for enhancement in the area for some years, funds were available, Mr Martin said.
If the weirs worked, the council could consider what was appropriate for long-term channel enhancement.
Cr Duncan Butcher said the idea brought "tears to his eyes" as he remembered his second term in council considering a concept for enhancing the "godforsaken concrete channel".
Concerns about its feasibility meant it had never gone ahead, so he supported seeing if the weir idea would work, he said.
Cr Gretchen Robertson said the "appalling" looking area was overdue for enhancement, with concrete and green slime the most common sight.
"With the stadium, there is going to be more foot traffic and, ecologically, it is not ideal."
Cr Michael Deaker described the concrete channel as "sterile" and if improvements could be made without creating a flood hazard, it was a good thing.
"Anything we can do to enhance the experience of visitors during that time [is positive]."
