Councillors deadlocked over ‘huge' removal of carparks in Albany St
Councillors were yesterday deadlocked over whether to back parking changes to a contentious Dunedin cycleway project.
The Dunedin City Council's three-person hearings committee was reduced to two members yesterday after Cr Jim O'Malley recused himself from considering the item over accusations of bias — and later quit his role as chairman.
With Cr O'Malley gone and because deputy mayor Cherry Lucas and Cr Mandy Mayhem could not agree, no resolution was passed.
Cr Lucas, who assumed the duties of chairwoman, confirmed at the meeting's close they were not passing a resolution.
She was overall "not in support of all the huge removal of carparks in Albany St", whereas Cr Mayhem said she was "in support of the implementation of a cycleway".
"So, it's a little bit of a stalemate, but we will take it back to council for decision," Cr Mayhem said.
Cr Lucas said they were mindful there were only two of them available to make a decision on something so "significant", and they wanted to ensure due process was followed.
The Albany St Connection Project aims to provide a safe walking and cycling connection between the shared Te Aka Ōtākou harbour path, Dunedin's tertiary area and the CBD.
Among the submitters who spoke in person yesterday was 86-year-old retired primary school principal Bernice Armstrong.
"I'm concerned about some of the decisions made in the past, and I'm particularly concerned when temporary city leaders continue to force unwanted permanent projects on to the residents of Dunedin.
"Some completed projects have ruined hard-working people's livelihoods, and if this Albany St project goes ahead, there will be many more people who are severely disadvantaged or have their businesses ruined."
Yesterday's committee meeting was only to consider proposed parking changes.
Mrs Armstrong, who had lived in Dunedin for more than 70 years, said she was a student flat manager and had recently conducted "thorough door-to-door consultation" with her tenants.
Her granddaughter had also started a change.org petition to preserve carparks in Albany St — which had garnered more than 200 signatures.
Students needed carparks for convenience and safety, Mrs Armstrong said.
Pedals Dunedin founder Liam Harrison supported the proposed parking changes.
The overall project was "a crucial step toward building a more connected, healthy and productive city", Mr Harrison said.
"I believe that by investing in infrastructure that will encourage more people to use alternative modes of transport we can create a better future for all residents of Otepoti Dunedin."
Contrary to what many people may think, Mr Harrison said their seven-cyclist delivery company experienced a "generally positive" reception from other road users.
A connected cycling network provided safe and continuous routes for people to travel around the city, and could encourage more people to choose active transport for their daily commute and errands
An incomplete network could compromise the safety of their staff .
He urged the committee to "stand firm against a vocal minority" and to make decisions that would positively impact all residents for generations to come.
tim.scott@odt.co.nz
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