Last week, Cr Benedict Ong was told he could only access some material under supervision and would not be permitted to attend closed workshops.
Dunedin City Council chief executive Sandy Graham put the measures in place after Cr Ong repeatedly shared confidential material with media.
This included commercially sensitive information and details of a code of conduct investigation he is facing regarding the release of confidential information.
Few councillors wished to comment on the matter yesterday.
Cr Doug Hall said the steps were necessary given Cr Ong’s behaviour had repeatedly undermined trust, ignored boundaries, and shown a lack of insight.
"They are not a first choice, and they are not something anyone should be pleased to see, but they are a consequence of repeated actions and the ongoing refusal to show any real accountability or remorse."
He hoped they would be effective and, at least, were a "necessary attempt to contain further harm".
Cr Hall said he could not make a sensible estimate of the cost to council so far "and frankly, I do not want to imagine another two and a-half years of this continuing".
Cr Brent Weatherall said once elected, councillors were bound by the council’s code of conduct, which included respecting the confidentiality of information where required.
"Obviously, any councillor that’s excluded access to confidential information cannot breach our code of conduct," Cr Weatherall said.
He said Ms Graham had his full backing.
Ms Graham said she would review the arrangements should Cr Ong "agree and demonstrate to me a willingness to no longer release confidential information without authority".
Cr Ong has told media the restrictions were no surprise, and he saw them as a continuation of "false attacks" against him.
