Rainbow crossing proposal disappoints

Woof Bar co-director Dudley Benson is pleased with support for a proposed rainbow crossing on the...
Woof Bar co-director Dudley Benson where he proposed a rainbow crossing on the intersection of Moray Pl and lower Stuart St. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH
A rainbow crossing in Dunedin’s city centre looks likely to be approved by the Dunedin City Council, but not in the location suggested by a community advocate.

Woof bar co-director Dudley Benson proposed the colourful crossing at a July council meeting as a statement of support for the city’s LGBTQ community, and said he was ‘‘very disappointed’’.

He had suggested the intersection of Moray Pl and lower Stuart St as the site.

A paper petition gained 3243 signatures in support of the concept, and an online petition gathered a further 3259 names.

A report set to be tabled at a meeting of the council’s planning and environment committee on Tuesday has instead recommended a rainbow crossing be integrated with the centre city George St redevelopment.

The location proposed in the petitions had not been recommended, because a raised intersection and table would need to be built to ensure traffic speeds remained below 30kmh, at a projected cost of up to $120,000, with no money available for the work in current budgets.

Mr Benson was saddened cost appeared to rule out his suggestion.

‘‘[The crossing is] something that will put us on an international stage, will bring queer people to Dunedin and stand against bullying.’’

He said he would now focus on pushing for a rainbow block as part of the centre city upgrade instead.

 

 

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