Opus International Consultants Ltd has missed its third deadline in two months to provide the information described as "critical" to the progress of the Otago Regional Council's Leith Lindsay Flood Protection Scheme.
The council has been waiting for months for the detailed design and contract documentation for the Union to Forth Sts reach of the Water of Leith, and the revised cost estimates for the project.
Both sets of documents are needed before the council can put the work out to tender, which it had hoped to do before Christmas.
"These two deliverables are very critical to the project. We can't move forward until we have the full information," environmental engineering and natural hazards director Dr Gavin Palmer said.
Engineering hazards committee chairman Stephen Woodhead said it was "amazing" that it was the third deadline since October that Opus had failed to meet.
"It's an unbelievable level of professional performance. I'm extremely disappointed."
The Leith Lindsay working group head, regional councillor Bryan Scott, said, in a note read out yesterday to the committee, it was "extremely disappointing to be put in this position".
Dr Palmer said the council had given Opus two extensions, with the latest being November 18.
The council had received documentation by that date, but it was incomplete, did not conform fully to the agreed brief, and was not accepted, he said.
"I have very serious concerns regarding those deliverables. We have worked closely with Opus and been clear about our expectations. I don't think there was more to be done to avoid this."
Opus had now promised that full documentation would be provided by December 19.
The council had asked if this date could be moved forward as it would be difficult to follow up the information so close to Christmas, Dr Palmer said.
As a result of the delays, there was now only a "slim chance, if any" of any physical work on stage one being completed in the 2008-09 financial year, Dr Palmer said.
The council felt it was unable to go any further with the project until it had an idea of the overall scheme cost, as the previous estimates were done in 2004.
Councillor David Shepherd said it was a "very disturbing situation" and he hoped the council would not be bearing the brunt of the extra costs.
"It does not augur well for for their employment in the future."
Dr Palmer said the council was obliged to pay for work done that met the brief it had with Opus, irrespective of delays in delivery, but it was seeking further explanation of some of the work.
"We are continuing to work with South Island regional management."
The council was very happy with Opus' work on the hydrology and property acquisition aspects of the project, he said.
