DCC Budget

The reality of the council's financial situation, rather than a decision by either the council or council staff, was behind the repayment period for stadium debt extending from 20 to 40 years, council finance and corporate support general manager Athol Stephens says.

The Dunedin City Council will consider borrowing from its own almost $70 million Waipori fund, instead of using commercial lending institutions.

Communities across Dunedin will need to do more to help pay for projects, as the Dunedin City Council grapples with tight finances threatening to curtail spending on key ventures, Mayor Dave Cull says.

The revelation last week the Dunedin City Council's stadium debt is being paid off over a 40-year, rather than a 20-year, period has surprised some councillors.

The Dunedin City Council is under pressure to continue work on the Otago Peninsula walkway, cycleway and road-widening project, and fund its share of the planned new Blueskin Bay library.

A project to help homeowners insulate and install "clean" heating systems was included in Dunedin's annual plan yesterday, and described as "a great initiative" by Mayor Dave Cull, after an almost unanimous vote.

Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull has defended the decision to hold a workshop on Dunedin City Council spending plans behind closed doors, saying he wanted to avoid "grandstanding".

Details of a $13 million plan to upgrade the middle of Dunedin, with improvements to the Octagon, George St and other parts of the central city, will run the gauntlet of city councillors in cost-cutting mode next week.

An $11.5 million swimming complex at Mosgiel remains the priority project for the chairman of the Dunedin City Council's aquatic facilities working party, despite a staff report that seems to step back from the idea.

Swimming clubs and other groups booking lanes at Moana Pool could soon have to pay more, as the Dunedin City Council seeks ways to boost income while easing overcrowding at the facility.