The proposal to halt work was voted down 11-4 by Dunedin city councillors during deliberations on the 2026-27 annual plan yesterday.
Crs Russell Lund and Jo Galer, who have both been vocal about the need for work in the flood-affected suburb, put forward plans to pause and re-evaluate short-term flood alleviation options in Forbury and Hillside Rds.
Several councillors who opposed to the motion expressed confusion about its intent, while deputy mayor Cherry Lucas said she ‘‘cannot believe what I’m hearing’’.
‘‘Former mayor [Jules] Radich, he would just be gobsmacked by what is happening at this table.’’
Mr Radich, who died in January, had advocated for short-term measures to improve stormwater systems and drainage in South Dunedin.
Cr Lund said, with respect, he believed Mr Radich had not received the best advice on alleviation options, which were included in the council’s nine-year plan.
‘‘The worst thing we could do is to build a solution that doesn’t fix the problem.’’
He advised councillors to ‘‘wind back the emotion’’.
‘‘Remember that we’re not stopping any physical work, because none has started yet.’’
Cr Galer, elected in the by-election following Mr Radich’s death, said South Dunedin residents largely did not believe the measures were suitable.
Speaking against the motion, Cr Lucas said the topic was an emotional one.
‘‘I think, looking around the table, everybody campaigned on doing work in South Dunedin.
‘‘And at the first opportunity, you’re going to stop spending money?
‘‘For goodness sake, let’s keep on with some no regrets solutions.’’
Cr Brent Weatherall said it was fortunate work had begun, thanks to support from Mr Radich, previous councillors and staff.
‘‘The criticism I’ve heard today is simply grandstanding,’’ he said.
‘‘I’m sick and tired of the continued whinging, especially now that the work to mitigate many of the issues has begun at a great cost, I might add.’’
Cr Mickey Treadwell said the majority of South Dunedin residents wanted to the council to ‘‘crack on’’.
With no drainage engineers sitting at the council table, elected members needed to trust staff, he said.
‘‘I think to do otherwise is wasteful and sort of conspiratorial,’’ he said, before withdrawing the comment and apologising.
Cr Andrew Simms called on a medical analogy, saying he and some South Dunedin residents felt the situation was akin to someone having a heart attack being ‘‘thrown an aspirin when they need a heart bypass’’.
He did not support halting work but backed the motion’s second part, which called for a flood alleviation options report for the council’s long-term plan.
It was defeated 10-5; all other councillors voting as they had initially.
The vote
That the council pauses South Dunedin flood alleviation short-term options in Forbury and Hillside Rds.
For (4): Crs Jo Galer, Russell Lund, Benedict Ong and Lee Vandervis.
Against (11): Mayor Sophie Barker, Crs John Chambers, Christine Garey, Doug Hall, Marie Laufiso, Cherry Lucas, Mandy Mayhem, Andrew Simms, Mickey Treadwell, Steve Walker and Brent Weatherall.
