About 40 people and nine of the 14 Dunedin City Council candidates attended the two-hour meeting organised by the Dunedin Area Citizens Association at St Peter’s Church Hall, Caversham, last night.
Chairwoman Jennifer Thomas opened the meeting with a moment’s silence for late councillor Jules Radich, who died in January, before candidates were given three minutes to introduce themselves.
A series of yes-or-no questions found all candidates at the meeting backed the council prioritising wastewater solutions in Surrey St, a ‘‘full investigation’’ into council finances and councillors being ‘‘more accountable’’ to ratepayers.
As one audience member remarked, ‘‘we really do need to think seriously about who we’re putting in there to change the balance of power’’.
Debate between candidates occasionally cropped up.
While Andrew Whiley was speaking on flooding inaction in South Dunedin, Jo Galer said it was during his time as a councillor the council took its ‘‘eye off the ball’’.
‘‘How come it was so hard?’’
Mr Whiley said he was happy to answer — a majority of eight councillors was needed to make decisions.
‘‘The key thing is trying to get the right decisions made with the eight votes.’’
None of the candidates supported permanent closure of a section of Queens Dr, where a trial closure finishes on Friday.
Voting papers began arriving by mail last Friday and polls close on May 12.
The association will hold another meet the candidates event at 7pm today at the Taieri Bowling Club, Mosgiel.
