The Dunedin City Council is being taken to court over alleged breaches of a New Zealand Historic Places Trust archaeological authority for the council's Wall Street development.
Details are sketchy at this stage, as both parties said it was too early to discuss the matter, but trust Otago-Southland area manager Owen Graham yesterday confirmed the case had been lodged.
He was not keen to say more on a matter before the court.
Council chief executive Jim Harland said last night he understood the case would be defended.
Anyone planning work on an archaeological site - any place associated with pre-1900 human activity - must obtain an authority from the trust before beginning.
Archaeological work was done at the site last September, uncovering a narrow footpath running from George St back towards Filleul St, building foundations, brick piles, wood, bottles, roast bones, china fragments, old boots and preserved plants.
Six archaeologists were commissioned by the council to make sample digs on the site and write a report detailing their findings.
Council acting property manager Rhonda Abercrombie said the trust case related to the council "not meeting the conditions of the archaeological authority", but she could not specify what the conditions were.
