Dunedin city centre plan backed

A $60 million plan to rejuvenate central Dunedin appears to have strong council backing.

Councillors voted 12-2 to include the spending in its draft 10-year plan, as well as a more modest $35 million option for consultation,  but it was the former most argued was the best option.

The draft 10-year plan meeting also signalled property owners in the city might be asked to contribute.

Councillors voted unanimously a rates funding advisory panel be asked to consider a special rating area to raise funds from property owners.

The 10-year plan developed by council staff included $60million for the central city plan, which has been in the development for some time.

The figure is a big increase on the $37.3million allocated for the upgrade so far.

A report said the money would pay for upgrades and renewals of roads, footpaths and street scapes in four areas: George St, Lower Stuart and Bath Sts, Princes St and Rattray St, and the Exchange.

Transport group manager Richard Saunders said work on below-ground infrastructure was required, providing the opportunity for above-ground work.

He said the vision for the plan could not be achieved with the budget  set aside for it so far.

Staff had received a ‘‘clear message’’ a more pedestrianised space was needed, rather than one mainly for vehicles.

Deputy mayor Cr Chris Staynes moved the $60 million option,  seconded by Cr Kate Wilson.Cr Staynes said the project, and the $20million harbourside bridge, were economic development projects, and should not be done in a ‘‘half-arsed way’’.

It was important to make the areas places residents and tourists wanted to go.

"If we do this correctly, it will breathe new life into our central retail area."

Cr Staynes was advised that a second option was legally required for the consultation process on such a large amount of spending, and the $35million option was added.

Cr Aaron Hawkins said the work being proposed was "par for the course" for any successful city, and would help build a 21st century city "we can be proud of"’.

Mayor Dave Cull asked why the city would accept "mediocre" for the central city.

The plan was not just about economic wellbeing, but also about social wellbeing.

If city streets were not made attractive, people would go there only when they needed to, and they would be empty and unsafe after shops closed.

But Cr Lee Vandervis said the spending was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

George St retailers benefited from the proximity to the tertiary area.

Property owners in George St, "these very wealthy burghers of the city" were not under any threat of losing their investments.

Cr Vandervis said instead the council should be spending money in Princes St, which had empty shops, and the potential for development.

"If we spend all this money on George St, Princes St can basically kiss its potential goodbye."

Cr Mike Lord said he would struggle to spend $60million, and wondered if there were other options that would give amenity values "and a nice outcome".

The council voted 12-2 to include the $60million option, with Cr Vandervis and Cr Andrew Whiley voting against.

Cr Lord had left the meeting by the time the vote was taken.

david.loughrey@odt.co.nz