Councillor's pleas heard

Two pleas on behalf of Dunedin's southern communities saw retiring councillor Colin Weatherall make two wins for his area on Monday.

During his introduction of the recommendations of the aquatic facilities working party, which he chaired, he also issued a call to arms to the Mosgiel community.

The council then voted to consider as part of its next annual plan process putting money into the plan to investigate further a new pool at Mosgiel, despite other councillors' concerns about cost.

Cr Weatherall said it would at least provide an opportunity for the southern catchment to start consulting in their community about what they preferred, and progressing a partnership relationship with council.

''If the Mosgiel community can contribute $1 million for a playground, I look forward to what they can do for a great swimming facility.''

Earlier in the meeting it was Fairfield's turn, after an impassioned speech from the councillor turned around an earlier council decision not give the community $10,000 from trees harvested from Walton Park.

Cr Weatherall had been absent from a previous meeting at which councillors voted against giving part of the $127,000 surplus from harvesting the trees, planted 40 years ago by the community for its own benefit, back to the community for the beautification of a section of Main Rd.

Cr Weatherall argued the trees had been given to the city by the goodwill of the people on amalgamation in 1989.

Those people had later been promised by the then-land transport authority it would beautify the stretch of road when the new state highway section bypassing Fairfield was built, yet it had failed to do that.

Councillors, except Cr Lee Vandervis, reversed their vote and agreed the community could have up to $10,000 for the project.

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