Repairing the lawn in Dunedin's Octagon after a two-month occupation by protesters cost more than $12,000, the Dunedin City Council has disclosed.
Protesters against Covid-19 vaccination mandates cleared the upper Octagon of tents on April 11, but left behind damaged turf.
The city council decided the lawn had to be replaced and the area was quickly restored to its previous look.
Authorities had taken a patient approach with protesters, but eventually imposed a deadline to clear the site after the Government had announced the end of most mandates and vaccine pass requirements.
Protesters met the deadline.
The cost of repairing the lawn was $12,264.65, excluding GST, a council spokesman said.
The full amount would be covered within existing city council budgets, he said.
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Comments
So the ratepayers of Dunedin are just expected to foot the bill for this? Come on DCC, this is clearly wilful damage and you should be pursuing those responsible for at least a portion of the cost involved!
Thanks Nora, you're a great citizen!
What a bargain. Hard to believe that painting circles on roads costs more....