Annual Plan Hearings

The Dunedin Public Libraries Association has come out in support of plans to move the library to the former chief post office building in the Exchange.

An angry ratepayer walked out, and the confrontational style of others, angered councillors, as the heat in submissions rose during the second day of the Dunedin City Council annual plan hearings yesterday.

The reputation of the Dunedin film industry could soon rival that of the city's contribution to music, as the home of the Dunedin Sound, Dunedin city councillors have heard.

Make no mistake - community anger remains over Forsyth Barr Stadium despite an absence of critical submissions to this year's Dunedin City Council annual plan hearing, councillors were told yesterday.

Former councillor Maurice Prendergast returned to the Dunedin City Council's table as a submitter yesterday, but come October he hopes to be back in a more familiar seat.

The Forsyth Barr Stadium has waned spectacularly as a subject for those making annual-plan submissions to the Dunedin City Council this year.

A "wonderful opportunity" and "way over the top" were some of the descriptions people gave the Otago Regional Council's proposed office block at long-term plan hearings yesterday.

Trains, buses and cycling dominated submissions on the final day of public consultation on the Otago Regional Council's 10-year plan yesterday.

Ratepayers could be spared a proposed 7.8% rates increase, after Dunedin City Council staff yesterday announced they had shaved nearly $1.3 million off roading budgets.

Dunedin city councillors have voted to fast-track progress towards the completion of walking and cycling strategies for the city.