The Otago Daily Times has learnt some councillors will push for a debate on more council asset sales - including the sale of minority stakes in companies like City Forests - during next year's long-term plan budget hearings.
The council is already studying a list of surplus and underperforming properties as part of a programme aiming to recoup up to $10 million.
Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull has confirmed he expects asset sales to be raised again by some councillors at next year's long-term plan budget hearings.
''There's been some questions asked by one or two of the elected members. It wouldn't surprise me if there wasn't some desire to see something on the table come LTP time.''
That included from Cr Andrew Whiley, who last week told the ODT the sale of minority stakes in some council companies should be considered.
''Do we need to own 100% of some things? Why can't we divest 40% shareholding in something and invest that money in another way?
''I think we do need to have some discussions like that.''
The renewed interest in asset sales comes as the council eyes tough budgeting exercises during the next few years, fuelled in part by group debt totalling $621 million, as well as the prospect of declining company payments to the council from 2015-16.
The agents of potential domestic and overseas buyers are already making their interest known, with a mix of outlandish offers and genuine expressions of interest coming in on a regular basis.
That included an approach in April by Chinese investors - via a real estate agent in South Otago - purporting to want a significant stake in City Forests for a sum approaching $1 billion.
Dunedin City Holdings Ltd chairman Graham Crombie said the eye-watering offer was ''about eight times what the asset was realistically worth'' and was most likely referring to Chinese yuan, not New Zealand dollars.
''That would've paid off all our debt and a few other things as well. You put that one quietly in the 'thank you for your input' [category] and move on.''
It was among about 20 ''tyre-kicking'' approaches he had fielded from a variety of agents in the past two years, including credible approaches from agents representing parties such as investment banks.
The interest was fuelled in part by the limited number of investment opportunities available in New Zealand, which prompted some agents to try to get ahead of any public process, he said.
''I'm sure they're knocking on every council door in the country.
''At the end of the day, if the city ever went to sell anything, it would go to an open process - it would have to.''
A review of DCHL by Warren Larsen, prompted by revelations of a multimillion-dollar shortfall in company dividends in 2011, suggested asset sales might be needed to address council debt levels.
It was also reported in late 2012 a DCHL review would include scrutinising company assets, but Mr Cull said last week the focus had initially been on changes within the group, including a governance restructure.
The council was yet to request a formal report from DCHL on company assets suitable for sale, Mr Cull said.
If it were to be raised next year, he would need to be convinced any returns from selling stakes would outweigh the benefits already delivered by the steady stream of dividends returned by the companies.
There were also strategic reasons for holding on to companies such as City Forests, which owned forests that also served as part of the city's water catchment, offered recreational walking tracks and native bush for valuable ecosystems.
''There are people in the community who wouldn't want us to sell it off. It's not simple.''
