The approach should ensure investment decisions would be well targeted and cost-effective amid challenges posed by natural hazards and climate change, the council said.
The council’s policy and planning committee yesterday agreed to repeal a 2011 climate change predictions policy, adopt a proposed climate adaptation policy, and note progress on building a climate resilience framework and interim roadmap.
Cr Mickey Treadwell said robust information would help the council build infrastructure in the right places to appropriate standards to ensure it stood the test of time.
Understanding the impact on the city of global warming and sea-level rise was improving, he said.
‘‘This is how we avoid disasters 20, 30, 60 years down the track — we embed these things in a light-touch, low-cost way and it gives the people of Dunedin security and also the best value for their money.’’
Cr Doug Hall said the approach ensured climate risk was part of normal decision-making.
Crs Lee Vandervis and Jo Galer voted against.
Cr Vandervis said temperature records for Dunedin showed an increase of 0.63°C between 1865 and 2020 and there was a 0.3°C margin of error.
The Port Chalmers tidal gauge showed sea-level rise of 1.5mm to 1.8mm a year, he said.
‘‘We certainly don’t have a problem yet, even if there is a problem looming.’’
Cr Christine Garey said she could not disagree more — ‘‘the risk is now’’.
‘‘We don’t want climate change to become a convenient excuse for not fulfilling our infrastructural responsibilities — where our focus should be.’’
Cr Treadwell said even small increases in temperature had significant ramifications for the weather system, affecting industries such as agriculture.
Sea levels were consistently rising about 3mm a year — ‘‘for the low-lying parts of our city; that adds up pretty quick’’, he said.
Cr Treadwell said the strategy was mainly about adaptation, enabling the council to build better pipes, pumps and infrastructure.
Cr Steve Walker said the cost of ‘‘doing nothing’’ in climate adaptation should not be ignored.
‘‘Failing to adapt results in ballooning disaster response expenses.’’
Cr Mandy Mayhem said the aim was to reduce long-term costs through ‘‘risk-informed decision-making’’.
‘‘It will set consistent expectations for how uncertainties and risks will inform our planning, investment decisions and asset management.’’
Dunedin Mayor Sophie Barker said she had pushed for a climate adaptation plan to be added to the council’s work plan.
It was imperative to have strong data behind long-term decisions about infrastructure, she said.
