Seesaws ‘a huge and expensive surprise’

The much-maligned George St seesaws came as a "complete surprise" to some Dunedin city councillors, who say they had no chance to sign off the additions to the central city playground.

However, the council says it had not been required to update elected members of changes after the broader project was signed off.

The playground hit the headlines again last week when the Otago Daily Times reported National MP Sam Uffindell had slammed the council for the seesaws, saying they were an example of a "stupid vanity project".

The 7m-long, 12m-long and inclusive seesaws were part of an inner city playground which had cost $586,000 and was part of upgrades to George St.

Cr Andrew Whiley said he was "frustrated" about the process which meant councillors had to defend a decision in which they had no say.

"When people look at councillors and they comment to us about the seesaws ... it’s more negative than positive: ‘how did this happen, how did you guys sign off on seesaws?"’ Cr Whiley said.

Details of the final playground were a "complete surprise" to him.

Councillors had seen and noted a plan for the George St play space at an extraordinary planning and environment committee in April 2022, but it did not include seesaws.

"Present us one thing and deliver us something else? I’m frustrated by that," Cr Whiley said.

"How did we go from what was in the plans to what’s been delivered?"

Any changes to the presented plan should have been included in operational update reports on the wider George St project, particularly as five new councillors were elected in 2023, Cr Whiley said.

George St "looks great" but he said he hoped councillors would be engaged more frequently in future projects.

"We should be able to champion them not having to defend them."

A council spokesperson said the 2022 report noted the design would be refined and councillors had made no additional requests for information or changes at the time.

The selection of individual pieces of play equipment was generally an operational matter and there was "no requirement or request from councillors" for further information on equipment once the plans were endorsed, the spokesperson said.

Design changes were needed as the council was limited by the constrained main street site — seesaws were seen as a better fit.

"The changes also reflect discussions with mana whenua about types of play equipment which might have some historic reference to traditional play elements, similar to seesaws."

Cr Sophie Barker said she was "extremely surprised" at the difference between the playground’s initial and final design and was disappointed councillors were not updated.

"Council is supposed to operate on a ‘no surprises’ basis — the seesaws were a huge and expensive surprise.

Cr Brent Weatherall, who was not a councillor in 2022, said he disagreed decisions around the seesaws were an operational matter.

"The comments [regarding] ‘engagements with mana whenua’ does not make the monstrosity of the finished outcome any more credible."

Cr Lee Vandervis said if the design changes were an operational decision, it suggested elected representatives should have a larger role in scrutinising staff operational budgets.

He and Mayor Jules Radich, then a councillor, had voted against noting the report in 2022 when the playspace was a "barely formed concept".

Cr Christine Garey said elected representatives did their job in approving the concept design and council staff did theirs by delivering "expert advice".

Cr Carmen Houlahan said she would have liked more information on decisions which had budget implications.

ruby.shaw@odt.co.nz