Lynne Newell. Photo: Linda Robertson Praise and disdain were levelled at city councillors ahead of a fraught debate on South Dunedin’s future. Councillors, albeit some reluctantly, voted 13-2 to approve public consultation for five options intended to manage long-term flood risk in the suburb at yesterday’s Dunedin City Council meeting. Before the item was discussed by elected members, a range of views were put forward by public forum speakers. 'Pipes and pumps' option delays consultation Resident Thelma Greer said she wanted an ‘‘environmental solution’’ for the suburb. ‘‘The work that’s been done is I think extraordinary and I feel positive about the future for South Dunedin,’’ she said. She questioned why dense development in the area continued, despite known natural hazard risks. Three shortlisted options, developed through the South Dunedin Future programme, had been recommended for public consultation. Councillors approved these, as well as a long-listed option ‘‘pipes and pumps’’ and the status quo, added by Dunedin Mayor Sophie Barker’s resolution. South Dunedin Stormwater Justice Group convener Lynne Newell said her faith in councillors and senior staff had reached ‘‘rock bottom’’. She referred to the ‘‘furore’’ of the past week — some councillors and residents were outraged after details released last week on the shortlisted options indicated areas where up to 1700 private properties may be bought for flood mitigation works. ‘‘Like me, many of the permanent residents of Dunedin who understand the flooding issues in South Dunedin have also turned against you,’’ Ms Newell said. ‘‘Not only for the uncaring and thoughtless way properties were identified for demolition before consultation had happened, but that all the future options had property demolition with no other option listed.’’ Ms Newell was pulled up several times during her speech for comments regarding mana whenua and Ms Barker asked her to ‘‘continue with respect’’. Group member Julian Doorey said the South Dunedin Future programme had replaced an undersized stormwater system as the ‘‘greatest threat to the existence of South Dunedin’’. University of Otago Professor of Public Health Alex Macmillan, outlined a health effects assessment of the shortlisted options. ‘‘How South Dunedin is now has been shaped heavily by the governance choices of the last 150 years and we have responsibilities as social, environmental and financial stewards for the health and wellbeing of future generations as well as those now.’’ ruby.shaw@odt.co.nz
