Former Dunedin City Council deputy chief executive Leanne Mash. PHOTO: ODT FILES A former council executive is downplaying her involvement in a petition calling for South Dunedin stormwater action. On Wednesday, a digital petition was posted to Facebook, requesting “immediate action to progress a practical pipes and pumps engineering solution for South Dunedin” from the Otago Regional and Dunedin City Councils. It was created under the name of former Dunedin City Council deputy chief executive Leanne Mash. However, when asked about it, Ms Mash said she had simply helped to set up the petition. “I'm just helping out the Dunedin Area Citizens Association, so the petition is from them.” She referred further comment to the group. Ms Mash was made redundant when the deputy chief executive role was one of two disestablished during a restructure of the executive leadership team last year, changes the council described as intended to increase efficiency. In November, the Otago Daily Times reported Ms Mash was behind a bullying complaint against chief executive Sandy Graham in 2024. Following the complaint, Ms Mash was on leave for more than a year. Association chairwoman Jennifer Thomas preferred to talk about the petition. She said its intent was to call for the councils to progress physical work for a “pipes and pumps” solution to address stormwater flooding risk in the South Dunedin, with a view to addressing known infrastructure issues before starting long-term planning. It follows publication last month of three shortlisted options intended to manage long-term flood risk in the area, developed through the councils’ South Dunedin Future programme and proposed for public consultation. Last week, both councils voted an engineered flood protection system be designed and also sent for public consultation, though the matter was not without contention. When asked, a city council spokesman said work to develop a “pipes and pumps” engineering option was already under way following the councils’ resolutions. He did not comment on Ms Mash’s involvement. As of yesterday evening, the petition had about 300 signatures. ruby.shaw@odt.co.nz
