The Otago Regional Council yesterday voted to have a fourth option — an engineered flood protection system — developed to add to three proposed long-term adaptation options presented to the public last week.
This was despite those who have been involved with the project saying a flood protection system was already part of the preferred options, which were developed over years and in consultation with the affected community.
Regional councillor Andrew Noone tabled the engineered flood protection system option, which he said would be designed and costed together with the city council and included in a future report for public consultation.
The councillors had been there to decide on beginning full consultation with the community on the three already identified options next month.
They all agreed this should proceed, except council deputy chairman Kevin Malcolm, of Waitaki, who voted against it, and took aim at the city council.
‘‘As a former property owner in Loyalty St in South Dunedin ... I simply believe supporting those motions deflects the attention away from the actions of the territorial authority, the DCC, who should have been looking after the folk of South Dunedin a damn sight better,’’ he said.
‘‘To be able to drive into Dunedin and see some of the miraculous cycle tracks built, yet with 8mm of rain I’m seeing sewage coming out on to the streets of South Dunedin, speaks for the integrity of the people governing this city.
‘‘There are thoughts of unitary authorities and working with people in the very near future. Some attitudes need to change and look after the basics.’’
South Dunedin Future programme manager Jonathan Rowe had earlier told the meeting the three preferred options had been settled on in public consultation and after considering a wide range of views.
The preferred options, whittled down from seven, would be the next steps to manage flood risks in the coming decades in South Dunedin.
Mr Rowe noted the focus since they were released had been more on the number of houses that might be demolished and green space that might be created — which were more long-term measures.
But there would also be plenty of engineering work with pipes and pumps in the options that would be done in the short term — over the next 25 years, he said.
Cr Gretchen Robertson said she wanted to support the people of South Dunedin but she had gone to many consultation meetings over the years and a flood protection system was already part of the preferred options.
The debate over another option started early at the meeting when city councillor Russell Lund spoke alongside the South Dunedin Stormwater Justice Group.
Cr Lund said he was ‘‘part of’’ the group, but later clarified he was not a member and he had listened to the group’s concerns and was happy to be part of helping them be heard.
Cr Lund has been critical of the release of the three options, suggesting South Dunedin residents learnt their houses might be demolished out of the blue.
He continued the attacks yesterday, telling regional councillors consultation had taken place at meetings that were ‘‘full of University of Otago staff and Green Party members’’ and there was a lack of input from people in South Dunedin.
People were looking for engineering-based solutions but mana whenua did not want this so that was rejected, he claimed.
Regional councillor Michael Laws and regional council chairwoman Hilary Calvert queried this, and council chief executive Richard Saunders said mana whenua did not have the power of veto on the project.
Cr Laws asked Mr Rowe directly if the engineering options were taken off the table because of mana whenua.
Mr Rowe said this was not the case, although theirs were some of a range of views considered.
Councillors voted for development of a fourth option, 9-2. Crs Robertson and Alan Somerville voted against. Cr Robbie Byars was absent.
