It was feasible for rising debt to be slowed and then for the Dunedin City Council to start paying down debt within a decade, Mayor Jules Radich said.
"We have been on a skyrocket trajectory of ever-increasing debt levels," he said.
"That is not sustainable and we don’t have to stay there."
Mr Radich noted councillors added in some debt when they discussed draft budgets at the end of last month and there was talk around the table of an extra "$100 million here and $20m there and $20m somewhere else that they would like to add to the debt".
The city council continued its discussion about the 2025-34 draft long-term plan on Tuesday.
A draft consultation document is in front of auditors and the council is due to approve it on March 18 for public feedback.
The draft material shows forecast debt growing from $817m in 2026 to more than $1 billion in 2030 and settling after that, finishing under $1.1b in 2034.
Rates increases above 10% have been indicated for the first three years of the draft long-term plan.
Mr Radich argued on Tuesday things needed to be brought into balance.
This included putting necessary and substantial investment into infrastructure to have it in a sustainable state.
"Similarly, we had a recent flood in South Dunedin where houses were flooded and it’s long past overdue for us to spend some money on pipes and pumps and increase the flood mitigation in that area, and we are doing that."
Cr Mandy Mayhem said some Three Waters assets were in old and poor condition and the council had inherited "gross under-investment from our previous city governors".
The draft nine-year plan featured a $1b programme for renewal of water assets and upgrades, Cr Mayhem noted.
"We’re focusing on the very basics to keep things in an acceptable condition," she said.
A climate change adaptation framework would help the areas most vulnerable to natural hazards, she said, and then addressed the public directly.
"Tell us, though, if we need to do more."
Cr Christine Garey described the draft consultation document as a call to action for Dunedin residents.
She expected to hear from advocates for community housing, the performing arts and a proposed cycling trail to Mosgiel.
"And those who have a real concern about the impact of climate change will have something to say about how we should be investing more in zero-carbon goals."
Cr Walker had no doubt of this, calling various omissions from the draft plan "a kick in the guts".
A call not to ask residents directly if they wanted extra spending on zero-carbon work — high or medium investment — was particularly annoying for him.
Cr Lee Vandervis described the draft consultation document as an optimistic presentation.
He appreciated there was "at least an attempt now to ‘plateau’ the debt, even if there’s not going to be any substantial payback in the next nine years".
Cr Sophie Barker noted the council looked headed for another deficit, which would add to debt.
"We can’t keep just putting stuff on the credit card," she said.
Cr Barker also supported "getting that shocking piece of road fixed on the way out to Pukekura/Taiaroa Head, because that is dangerous".
Cr Bill Acklin said the council had a chance to help the debt situation by selling Aurora Energy, but it chose not to.
Cr Andrew Whiley expected many public submissions to come in about the draft plan.
Councillors liked to talk, but they should be prepared for a lot of listening, he said.
