Passionate and apparently widespread opposition among Opoho residents and others to the proposed loss of Lovelock Ave was prominent at a resource consent hearing yesterday.
Opponents picked apart arguments a new road would be safer than Lovelock Ave, questioned the need for the project, and made clear their concerns it would add to the ongoing nuisance boy racers caused in the suburb.
Local residents told the hearings committee the area of the proposed new road would be both too steep, and badly affected by frost and ice, a dangerous combination.
They bemoaned the loss of both the scenic Lovelock Ave, and what they said was a tranquil walk next to the Northern Cemetery, where the new road would go.
Opoho resident Jacqueline Wood, who organised a petition of residents opposing the realignment, said the petition showed the overwhelming majority of residents opposed it.
Mrs Wood challenged the argument there was a safety problem on Lovelock Ave.
There had been only two recorded crashes in the past four years.
Supporters of the proposal had argued the realignment was the key to future developments at the garden, but Mrs Wood said she had searched all the documents relating to the project.
"I can not find the link".
"It might well be more convenient for the garden staff to be rid of Lovelock Ave. It is manifestly not crucial".
Rather than the realignment, Mrs Wood suggested a tree-top bridge or walkway, something that would be a popular feature for tourists and visitors to the garden.
Resident Tim Hambleton responded to arguments the new road, which would not be surrounded by trees, would be less prone to ice.
He said anyone with a covered carport knew the roof prevented frost, as did overhanging trees.
"It's not only going to be frosty, it's going to be steep - very steep.
"Do we need another steep street in Dunedin? The answer is no."
Chartered engineer Dr Debra Carr said she had done research at both Lovelock Ave and the site of the new road, and the latter area was affected by both frost and layers of ice, which stayed on the ground as late as 11am.
"One finds it hard to imagine how a road would not suffer in the same way."
That view, and that Lovelock Ave was less prone to ice, was backed up by civil engineer Errol Chave, who presented photographs taken during winter to back up his argument.
Other submitters complained of disruption to birdlife, what they said was poor communication and consultation, and difficulty getting information from the council.
They raised fears the Opoho Bowling Club would be the next land taken over by the garden, as glasshouses were shown on a document as being planned for the land it occupied.
The hearing heard the new road would be too steep for most cyclists.
While many submissions, including from the Southern Heritage Trust and the Opoho School, opposed the project yesterday, supporters of the project also had their say.
Friends of the Botanic Garden president Nicola Holman said the issue was not just about roads, but about the development of the garden, while the organisation's development committee chairman Dr Conway Powell told the hearings committee he was trying to raise $5 million in the next few years for garden projects, and he needed to be able to set out a clear line of development to sponsors and benefactors.
The commissioners have adjourned the hearing until October 21.
