Councillor was advised to abstain

Dunedin city councillor Paul Hudson abstained from Monday's vote on the $45 million revamp of the Dunedin Town Hall and Dunedin Centre because of his daughter's previous involvement with a restaurant there.

The council last year agreed to buy out the lease of the Hungry Frenchman restaurant from owners Grant Walker and Anna Hudson to make way for the redevelopment.

Last week, it was announced the Dunedin Centre would be expanded by making use of the Skeggs Gallery, the property services division and the former site of the restaurant, all of which are in the Municipal Chambers.

Cr Hudson has previously stepped aside from council discussions on the issue because of the potential conflict of interest.

He said he had been advised he should do so again for Monday's vote, despite his daughter no longer holding the lease.

- david.loughrey@odt.co.nz