However, the environment was complex, and better communication was needed about what was happening, Dunedin City Council (DCC) chief executive Sandy Graham said.
"Next year, we’ll have some answers on what a solution might look like," she said.
Heavy rain in January 2021 led to flooding in Middlemarch, just more than two years after another flood.
Strath Taieri Community Board member Robin Thomas led a presentation at a city council civic affairs committee meeting this week, and one matter he highlighted was an apparent lack of follow-through in letting people know what was being done to avoid more flooding problems.
Feedback had been promised and not delivered, he said.
It appeared streams were being cleared ad hoc, Mr Thomas said.
Ms Graham said the DCC was working with the Otago Regional Council on a master plan.
She indicated the regional council was looking into hydraulic modelling and the city council was looking after pipes.
