Prospect of sealing road gets closer

Residents concerned about the safety of a pothole-ridden, gravel Dunedin road are buoyed the council has taken a step towards sealing it.

Cr John Chambers’ motion requesting a review of the Dunedin City Council’s roading network seal extension policy was narrowly voted through at annual plan deliberations on Friday.

It followed an annual plan submission from the Residents of McMaster Road Working Group, requesting the Saddle Hill road be reassessed for sealing given its poor condition, increased use and safety risks.

Group member Dr Ohad Dar said residents were pleased with the decision and looked forward to working with the council during the review.

The road was included in the council’s seal extension policy but no work was complete before the policy ceased about 2012.

Dr Dar said the council had already invested in the road during this time and ‘‘it's not going to ... start from scratch’’.

‘‘From our perspective, it's self-evident that it should be sealed.’’

The Saddle Hill Community Board had also requested the road be sealed.

At Friday’s meeting, Cr Chambers said the matter of sealing roads in the area ‘‘hasn't really gone off the agenda, I don't think’’, since the sealing policy was halted.

The review was to be prepared in time for the council’s 10-year plan, which Cr Chambers said was the appropriate forum to consider it in.

Cr Lee Vandervis said the council should not ‘‘waste money’’ on a review which could lead to the unaffordable extension of seal.

With the vote split 7-7, the motion passed on Mayor Sophie Barker’s casting vote.

A staff comment in the amenity requests report for last week’s meeting said sealing the road could cost about $3 million.

Councillors also voted 11-3 to investigate a speed reduction for McMaster Rd, which would be considered by a council hearing committee next year.

Crs Vandervis, Russell Lund and Brent Weatherall were opposed.

At a reconvened meeting today, councillors are expected to complete annual plan deliberations and decision-making. The annual plan will be presented for adoption on June 25.

The vote

That the council requests a review of the roading network seal extension policy.

For (7): Mayor Sophie Barker, Crs John Chambers, Christine Garey, Doug Hall, Marie Laufiso, Mickey Treadwell, Brent Weatherall.

Against (7): Crs Jo Galer, Cherry Lucas, Russell Lund, Mandy Mayhem, Benedict Ong, Andrew Simms, Lee Vandervis.

Absent (1): Cr Steve Walker.

Passed on Ms Barker’s casting vote.