Mr Cull was commenting on a council staff report, to be considered next week, which proposed bringing forward $16.3 million in planned capital spending — and associated debt — to the 2018-19 year.
The money was already in later years of the council’s 10-year budget, but bringing it forward would accelerate work on a range of projects, including cycleways, water infrastructure and repairs to the Edgar Centre.
But, at the same time, the council could defer work on two other big projects — the Mosgiel pool and Sammy’s — for at least a year, the report by council finance and commercial manager Dave Tombs said.
The accelerated spending included $4.5 million to progress the Urban Cycleways Project — including the Portsmouth Dr shared path to the Anzac Ave separated cycleway, an improved shared path in Steamer Basin and a connection from the new Leith bridge to Anzac Ave.
But it also included $2 million earmarked for the Edgar Centre, which, it was revealed earlier this year, was significantly earthquake-prone, at 10%-15% of new building standard (NBS), and being warped by subsidence.
In June, seismic strengthening work had been expected to cost less than $1 million, but Mr Tombs said yesterday the budget had been doubled to include a "buffer" should any other work be required.
The accelerated capital spend also included $3 million for water infrastructure improvements in Northeast Valley, and $1.3 million for the refurbishment of Dunedin’s central city library.
Another $1.7 million would be brought forward for improvements to parks and reserves facilities, such as new sports field lights, while $1.1 million worth of housing renewals would also be accelerated.
So, too, would be $900,000 needed for a new Civic Centre lift, $800,000 for property acquisitions and $700,000 to fix the Mosgiel library roof.
The council was also proposing extra capital spending — not already in the 10-year budget — totalling $11.4 million, to be included in the 2018-19 year.
That included $6.7 million for continuing storm repair work, which began last year, and delayed work on the Logan Park artificial turf work (worth $3.9 million), originally planned for the previous year.
Mr Cull said the budget changes were "as much as anything a timing change" and would not increase costs overall.
The council had, like other organisations, struggled in the past to spend its capital budget each year, resulting in an investment backlog which meant the council was "constantly behind".
That was due to the availability of contractors and other factors, as well as council processes, but council staff had been "working really hard at getting our processes up to speed".
"We regard this as a really positive step.
"They believe they have the capacity to do it, and they want to get on and get it done," Mr Cull said.
The report containing the changes would be considered by councillors at next week’s full council meeting.
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At a guess Cull is doing this because a. he knows it will not happen once he is gone. b. a. + he has promised his old money influences and is trying to sort it before he goes. c. it was always the plan and knew he would not get it passed if it was tabled . I think he needs to be pulled back in to line.
Why not make just make the rate players of Dunedin hand over their banking details so the DCC can dip into them when ever they need to. The pool in Mosgiel should go ahead before anymore is spent on the cycle lanes. Cyclist have had their turn time for the kids and swimmers to get a turn at the found table. We all know the 4.5m for the cycle lanes will blow out to more then twice that by the time they are finished. DCC should just stick to the Budget they voted on and most of Dunedin didnt want