Composition of hospital rebuild advisory group criticised

Dunedin Hospital rebuild leader Pete Hodgson has taken the first step in stamping his identity on the project, appointing an advisory group to provide local government, iwi and transportation advice.

However, in the process he has drawn criticism from regional mayors seeking an assurance their voices will be heard on the rebuild.

There is also no business representation in the group.

Councillors and staff from the Dunedin City Council, Otago Regional Council, NZ Transport Agency and Ngai Tahu have been invited to join the local advisory group.

''Because the project is so big, about six times the budget of the Dunedin stadium, there is the opportunity and obligation to think broadly about wider impacts on the city and region, and local leaders are the obvious people to help us do that,'' Mr Hodgson, chairman of the Southern Partnership Group (SPG) said.

''Members of the Southern Partnership Group, the Ministry of Health and the Southern DHB are also invited,'' he said.

''I have asked the group to bring the people their organisation feels needs to be at the meeting and you can decide whether they need to be brought to other meetings or other people be brought in.

''As the project gains momentum we need to minimise any economic disruption and maximise the local economic opportunity, by thinking and planning ahead.

''That cannot be done properly unless we have strong local input from the outset.''

While crediting the idea of the group to Health Minister David Clark, Mr Hodgson's statement that local engagement on the rebuild had been ''inadequate'' signalled a broader approach to the project.

''It is a matter of considerable surprise that there hasn't been closure alignment with the city or the university until now,'' Mr Hodgson said.

''Whilst it is primarily and predominantly a health issue, it is not only that. This is a big capital programme.

''The project is going to have an impact on the CBD of Dunedin for several generations.''

Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher yesterday urged Mr Hodgson to remember Dunedin Hospital serviced the entire region.

''The Southern DHB funds them to provide for Otago - it's not there just for Dunedin,'' Mr Kircher said.

''The minister and Mr Hodgson, they need to realise Dunedin Hospital is for Otago.''

Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan echoed Mr Kircher's concerns.

''If the group sees fit to include councillors and officials from [Dunedin] city council and the Otago Regional Council, as well as senior representation from Ngai Tahu and the NZ Transport Agency, then the regions should each have a voice, too,'' he said.

Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan hoped the omission of regional representatives would be rectified.

Queenstown Lakes Mayor Jim Boult said the rebuild needed to take into account the views of all districts, and QLDC would welcome the opportunity to participate.

Mr Hodgson said he had no intention of ignoring the regions, which was why the regional council was part of the group.

ORC chairman Stephen Woodhead called the initiative positive.

Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull was delighted at the formation of the group, which DCC had called for.

The way the SPG, appointed by the minister to oversee the rebuild, operates will also change, with Mr Hodgson wanting it more closely linked with the University of Otago.

The first meeting is on Tuesday.

''We need local advice on site selection urgently,'' Mr Hodgson said.

''We need to ensure that the hospital development is consistent with the central city redevelopment initiatives.

''For example, we need to think about the effect of the new hospital on public transport.

''Some of the sites under consideration are straddled by State Highway 1, which means some traffic engineering input would be useful before we finalise a site.''

mike.houlahan@odt.co.nz