Coastal erosion, council spending among key issues

Coastal erosion, council spending levels and advocacy for Dunedin’s interests were among the key issues at a candidates’ forum last night.

A crowd of about 35 people turned up at the Brighton Rugby Club for the forum organised by the Dunedin Area Citizens Association.

Ten candidates for the Dunedin City Council laid out their case for election and answered questions.

Discussing coastal erosion, Paul Pope said a plan needed to go beyond St Clair and St Kilda and it had to be done in the next two or three years.

Conrad Stedman observed Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich had an idea he took to the last election — reinstating groynes — but nothing came of it.

Mr Stedman also said the city should "say no to costly mistakes" such as the Smooth Hill landfill.

Regarding advocacy for the new Dunedin hospital, Jo Galer said the council had to beat a path to Wellington more.

Hugh O’Neill said Wellington seemed to be a problem.

"We should go for independence of the South Island," he said.

Association chairman Lyndon Weggery asked a series of questions for which candidates could hold up a "yes" or "no" sign.

One thing they did all agree on was maintaining support for the Taieri Gorge train operation.

Unsurprisingly, they also all agreed they could work with other people.

The most straightforward piece of electioneering came from Lachlan Akers.

Asked about the badges he was wearing, he was helpfully able to say one was "Vote Lachlan for DCC".

grant.miller@odt.co.nz