Saturday's Otago Daily Times report on the bungled South Dunedin Cycle Network drew plenty of interest from online readers.
The report detailed how DCC staff had made a series of mistakes, compounded by flawed management and contracting structures, that had led to the network's failings.
DCC infrastructure and networks general manager Ruth Stokes, who joined the council in February this year, put construction of the network on hold in May while she remodelled how the rest of the project would be delivered.
Mistakes would be fixed using money from cycleway funds.
Readers' comments were mostly scathing of the Dunedin City Council and its work on the cycleway's design, consultation, and construction.
Many wanted to know whether the staff directly responsible for mistakes would be held accountable.
Some suggested the entire council should be sacked.
A common theme was that, for some, cycleways were seen as less important than other council work needing more funding and attention.
However, some believed Ms Stokes' decision to publicly admit mistakes were made, and her taking responsibility for those mistakes being fixed, was to be commended.
A selection of responses
Avril Hansen
It's so sad that councils can't get these projects right without wasting a whole lot of money!Sarah Davis:How about they have to pay for their mistake instead of me?
Brendon Arbuckle
The cycleways in part, are great. But can we actually have a council that listens to the people in the first place?
Bridget Schaumann
I'm just surprised that when it was so obviously not working, that they carried on making more of a mess.
Digger
At least Ruth Stokes had the courage and intelligence in May to suss out there were problems and put a hold on the cycleway project in South Dunedin ... It is refreshing to have a bureaucrat prepared to admit mistakes have been made and not to lie about how they were made. This helps to create confidence and trust for the future.
Heike Cebulla Elder
I am glad that the discussion about the design flaws in South Dunedin is out in the open and that mistakes have been acknowledged now and acted upon.
Shez Mcleod
The part from Tainui to the dino park is awesome. The rest is a mess.
Dean Forbes
Surprise surprise, Council needs to fire the idiots who designed & rubber stamped this botch up.
