Latest news with #SouthDunedinFuture
Otago Daily Times
7 days ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Fear politics could affect South Dunedin flooding action
Long-term solutions for South Dunedin's flood-affected residents could face trouble if "political cycles" get in the way of implementation, a community leader says. An independent reference group established by the Ministry for the Environment this month advised the government to take decisions with urgency so climate adaptation approaches could be "fully in place" by 2045. The central government timeline appears at odds with the multibillion-dollar visions for 2100 presented locally as part of South Dunedin Future — a joint work programme by the Dunedin city and Otago regional councils to develop a comprehensive climate change adaptation plan for the area. South Dunedin Community Network chairman Mike Hammond said the proposed 20-year timeframe for adaptation plans might be more agreeable. "Political cycles can somewhat influence decisions, meaning potential delays and increased costs for longer-term plans," Mr Hammond said. "Being pragmatic and thinking about households who continue to be impacted by flood events, appears to make a 20-year plan sounds like a more common sense option." Today, the Otago Regional Council will consider a report from programme manager Jonathan Rowe on feedback from more than 1200 individuals and organisations on the seven potential plans for South Dunedin's future. Nearly 60% supported an estimated $2.8 billion proposal to create "space for water" in the low-lying suburb by 2100. On the other hand, 73% of respondents said the status quo — which would cost an estimated $2b — was taking South Dunedin in the "wrong direction", Mr Rowe said. The least popular option was to "let water in" and plan a large-scale managed retreat from the area, estimated to cost $5b. The Dunedin City Council will consider the same report at next week's meeting. The Otago Daily Times asked regional and city councillors to weigh in on the matter ahead of the meetings. Some said the planned timeframe was "realistic", or appropriate, given the range of stakeholders and significance of the proposed adaptations. Regional councillor Elliot Weir said while it was critical the city council address short-term issues, the South Dunedin Future programme was focused on long-term planning. "The urgent short-term infrastructure challenges, such as the issues on Surrey St, and the longer-term planning for the future of the entire community are two overlapping but distinct issues and we should be careful not to conflate the two." Other councillors said short-term solutions should be the priority and would better serve South Dunedin residents. They called for continued upgrades of basic infrastructure in the area. City councillor Andrew Whiley said he struggled "with some of the narrative" in Mr Rowe's report, but continually asking residents' thoughts was "not the best plan either". "Many are worn out and just want to see council support them and find some positive short-term solutions." COUNCILLORS' VIEWS Dunedin City Council "This coalition government has certainly not given the current climate crisis the attention it deserves, which extends to not supporting many aspects of the South Dunedin Future work. Thankfully, governments change!" — Cr Steve Walker "We have a great community in South Dunedin. We need to support them. I struggle with some of the narrative in the report but doing nothing is not an option. The likes of Forbury Park, Tonga and Bathgate park are the easiest place to start when it comes to relief areas." — Cr Andrew Whiley "Feedback I've had at community meetings is that some feel we're moving too slowly, however we're talking billion-dollar decisions, so we need to have a comprehensive robust data-driven plan to be able to make those tough decisions we'll have to make." — Cr Sophie Barker "The government has not been forthcoming in indicating its support. In fact, recent announcements signalling no future buyouts by central government is an indication of their abdicating responsibility as we literally weather the storms!" — Cr Christine Garey "Due to more regular rain events central government seems to be taking a reactive approach opposed to a proactive approach to flood management in New Zealand now which is a shame as South Dunedin should qualify as great test case for flood mitigation which could benefit the entire country going forward." — Cr Brent Weatherall Otago Regional Council "As a South Dunedin local, I'm keen for an adaptation plan that is led by the local community, provides intergenerational clarity to residents and property owners, and enables South Dunedin to grow into something even greater than the present day. Change is coming and will cost lots of money, whether we plan for it or not — so we'd be foolish not to." — Cr Elliot Weir "I think grandiose catastrophising has left the residents with less municipal water management than they should be expecting as ratepayers. Hopefully within central government's demands that councils focus on the basics, that DCC sorts what the residents need now as a priority, and worry about the next hundred years in perhaps a hundred years." — Cr Gary Kelliher "Governance and policy makers can do all the consultation, all the future gazing and all the policy development they like but no matter what final decision is made South Dunedin residents need their council to keep the basic infrastructure up to scratch and performing to its designed standards." — Cr Kevin Malcolm "Aligning local body objectives with central government direction, at the moment, seems to be an oxymoron. I would like to think otherwise." — Cr Tim Mepham "It has been a long road of scientific investigation and community engagement to get this far, so let's not rush the final stages of decision making. There is a clear call for some immediate action, along with a long-term plan to set up an enduring future. Nobody wants to return in 20 or 30 years to ask the same questions." — Cr Alan Somerville
Otago Daily Times
7 days ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Fear politics could affect Sth D action
Long-term solutions for South Dunedin's flood-affected residents could face trouble if "political cycles" get in the way of implementation, a community leader says. An independent reference group established by the Ministry for the Environment this month advised the government to take decisions with urgency so climate adaptation approaches could be "fully in place" by 2045. The central government timeline appears at odds with the multibillion-dollar visions for 2100 presented locally as part of South Dunedin Future — a joint work programme by the Dunedin city and Otago regional councils to develop a comprehensive climate change adaptation plan for the area. South Dunedin Community Network chairman Mike Hammond said the proposed 20-year timeframe for adaptation plans might be more agreeable. "Political cycles can somewhat influence decisions, meaning potential delays and increased costs for longer-term plans," Mr Hammond said. "Being pragmatic and thinking about households who continue to be impacted by flood events, appears to make a 20-year plan sounds like a more common sense option." Today, the Otago Regional Council will consider a report from programme manager Jonathan Rowe on feedback from more than 1200 individuals and organisations on the seven potential plans for South Dunedin's future. Nearly 60% supported an estimated $2.8 billion proposal to create "space for water" in the low-lying suburb by 2100. On the other hand, 73% of respondents said the status quo — which would cost an estimated $2b — was taking South Dunedin in the "wrong direction", Mr Rowe said. The least popular option was to "let water in" and plan a large-scale managed retreat from the area, estimated to cost $5b. The Dunedin City Council will consider the same report at next week's meeting. The Otago Daily Times asked regional and city councillors to weigh in on the matter ahead of the meetings. Some said the planned timeframe was "realistic", or appropriate, given the range of stakeholders and significance of the proposed adaptations. Regional councillor Elliot Weir said while it was critical the city council address short-term issues, the South Dunedin Future programme was focused on long-term planning. "The urgent short-term infrastructure challenges, such as the issues on Surrey St, and the longer-term planning for the future of the entire community are two overlapping but distinct issues and we should be careful not to conflate the two." Other councillors said short-term solutions should be the priority and would better serve South Dunedin residents. They called for continued upgrades of basic infrastructure in the area. City councillor Andrew Whiley said he struggled "with some of the narrative" in Mr Rowe's report, but continually asking residents' thoughts was "not the best plan either". "Many are worn out and just want to see council support them and find some positive short-term solutions." COUNCILLORS' VIEWS Dunedin City Council "This coalition government has certainly not given the current climate crisis the attention it deserves, which extends to not supporting many aspects of the South Dunedin Future work. Thankfully, governments change!" — Cr Steve Walker "We have a great community in South Dunedin. We need to support them. I struggle with some of the narrative in the report but doing nothing is not an option. The likes of Forbury Park, Tonga and Bathgate park are the easiest place to start when it comes to relief areas." — Cr Andrew Whiley "Feedback I've had at community meetings is that some feel we're moving too slowly, however we're talking billion-dollar decisions, so we need to have a comprehensive robust data-driven plan to be able to make those tough decisions we'll have to make." — Cr Sophie Barker "The government has not been forthcoming in indicating its support. In fact, recent announcements signalling no future buyouts by central government is an indication of their abdicating responsibility as we literally weather the storms!" — Cr Christine Garey "Due to more regular rain events central government seems to be taking a reactive approach opposed to a proactive approach to flood management in New Zealand now which is a shame as South Dunedin should qualify as great test case for flood mitigation which could benefit the entire country going forward." — Cr Brent Weatherall Otago Regional Council "As a South Dunedin local, I'm keen for an adaptation plan that is led by the local community, provides intergenerational clarity to residents and property owners, and enables South Dunedin to grow into something even greater than the present day. Change is coming and will cost lots of money, whether we plan for it or not — so we'd be foolish not to." — Cr Elliot Weir "I think grandiose catastrophising has left the residents with less municipal water management than they should be expecting as ratepayers. Hopefully within central government's demands that councils focus on the basics, that DCC sorts what the residents need now as a priority, and worry about the next hundred years in perhaps a hundred years." — Cr Gary Kelliher "Governance and policy makers can do all the consultation, all the future gazing and all the policy development they like but no matter what final decision is made South Dunedin residents need their council to keep the basic infrastructure up to scratch and performing to its designed standards." — Cr Kevin Malcolm "Aligning local body objectives with central government direction, at the moment, seems to be an oxymoron. I would like to think otherwise." — Cr Tim Mepham "It has been a long road of scientific investigation and community engagement to get this far, so let's not rush the final stages of decision making. There is a clear call for some immediate action, along with a long-term plan to set up an enduring future. Nobody wants to return in 20 or 30 years to ask the same questions." — Cr Alan Somerville
Otago Daily Times
21-07-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Majority backs going with the flow
A future where South Dunedin is dotted with waterways and wetlands has been backed by residents as the best hope to address climate change. South Dunedin Future programme manager Jonathan Rowe, in a report to Otago regional and Dunedin city councillors, said feedback from more than 1200 individuals and organisations found nearly 60% supported an estimated $2.8 billion proposal to create "space for water" in the low-lying suburb by 2100. On the other hand, 73% of respondents said the status quo was taking South Dunedin in the "wrong direction", Mr Rowe said. The least popular option the South Dunedin Future team presented to the community in consultation from March through May was to "let water in" and plan a large-scale managed retreat from the area, estimated to cost $5b. "Two prominent themes emerged in the feedback across all 'futures', including that council should build more infrastructure in the short term, to reduce present-day flood risk, and that stakeholders wanted more information about any potential managed retreat process, including in regard to location, timing, and policy and process for property buyouts," he said. Mr Rowe's team not only gauged public interest in the seven different multibillion-dollar options South Dunedin Future created, they also tried to understand people's views on flooding and who should contribute financially to South Dunedin's future. The South Dunedin Future team tried to understand at what point flooding would make the suburb "unliveable", Mr Rowe said. The team found 83% of respondents thought that threshold would be crossed if water entered their homes. "Most respondents said that flood water ponding on their lawn, local sports fields and in public carparking areas would never make South Dunedin unliveable — suggesting increased tolerance of 'nuisance' flooding, but clear intolerance of flooding entering homes." When the public was asked who should help pay for the work required to prepare the suburb for the future, most respondents said central government (24%) and local government (22%). However, property developers (15%), and Dunedin residents and businesses (13%) were also picked to pay to help transform the neighbourhood, he said. Consultation found that while many respondents were open to contributing through rates to some degree, support for rates funding was "higher when costs are shared more broadly". After both councils considered his report this month, a shortlist of three options would be presented to councils early next year, Mr Rowe said. South Dunedin Community Network chairman Mike Hammond said the findings Mr Rowe was presenting were similar to the feedback the network received from attendees at the last South Dunedin street festival. The option to add wetlands and waterways to the suburb would likely not please everyone "but almost 60% is a reasonable number overall". "South D should be a place residents from other suburbs want to visit and having a long-term vision that includes making South D safe and resilient to future water events sounds like a positive solution."
Scoop
20-07-2025
- General
- Scoop
Good Response To South Dunedin Future Engagement
There is a clear mandate for change in South Dunedin, based on the results of the most recent public engagement on the South Dunedin Future programme. The community was asked to respond to seven potential adaptation futures for South Dunedin, as well as public tolerance of flooding and views on funding climate adaptation. South Dunedin Future programme manager Jonathan Rowe says , 'We're grateful to the many people who took the time to share their views. There appears to be a strong mandate for change, to move beyond the status quo, and to work together toward a safer, more resilient South Dunedin.' This phase of community engagement involved more than 1,200 individuals and organisations participating in a series of workshops, drop-in events, online surveys, and targeted stakeholder dialogue from 29 March to 11 May 2025. Key results included: Almost 73% of respondents indicated that Future 1 – Status quo (keep doing what we are doing) is taking South Dunedin in the wrong direction. Future 4 – 'Space for Water' (waterways and wetlands) was the most supported, with 59% agreeing this takes South Dunedin in the right direction. Future 7 – 'Let Water In' (large-scale retreat) was the least popular overall, with 47% indicating this takes South Dunedin in the wrong direction. When asked about risk and tolerance, 83% of respondents indicated that South Dunedin would become 'unliveable' for them if floodwaters entered their homes, even occasionally. In contrast, there was a higher level of tolerance for minor or 'nuisance' flooding in areas such as parks, streets, and open spaces. Two prominent themes emerged in the feedback across all Futures included that council should build more infrastructure in the short term to reduce present day flood risk, and that people want more information about any potential managed retreat process, including in regard to location, timing, and process for property buy-outs. 'The survey results show that people want action that responds to the scale of the challenge. This includes getting on top of present-day flooding issues, while also being open to large-scale change that might be required to tackle climate-change impacts in the future', says Mr Rowe. In addition to public engagements, targeted sessions were held with infrastructure providers, banks, insurers, developers, social service agencies, and government agencies. The results of these sessions showed a desire for a clear, long-term strategy to support decision-making and investment confidence. South Dunedin Future is a joint programme launched in 2020 by the Dunedin City Council and Otago Regional Council to develop a comprehensive climate change adaptation plan for South Dunedin that is viable, affordable, and has broad support. Mr Rowe says, 'the engagement report being presented to both councils marks the conclusion of the current phase of community engagement. The feedback received will now be combined with more technical and economic work to identify a shortlist of three adaptation futures for South Dunedin.' The engagement report will be discussed next week by Councillors at the ORC Council meeting on Wednesday, 23 July and the DCC Council meeting on Wednesday 30 July. The South Dunedin Future programme remains on track to deliver a shortlist of three adaptation futures by early-2026, and following further community engagement, a final adaptation plan for South Dunedin is scheduled for completion by December 2026.
Scoop
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Oamaru Meeting For ORC Next Week
The public in North Otago are being encouraged to attend an Otago Regional Council meeting in Oamaru next week, on Wednesday 23 July. The meeting will be at Waitaki District Council, Council Chambers, 20 Thames St and is scheduled to run from 10am - 5pm. ORC Chair Gretchen Robertson says there will be a wide range of subjects being considered at Wednesday's meeting and is looking forward to members of the public attending. 'We like to take as many full Council meetings as possible around the regions each year, not only to reflect on work being done locally but to engage with communities in their home districts and better understand what is most important to them,' Cr Robertson says. Agenda items will include a recovery update from the floods of 2022, 2023 and 2024, an update on the South Dunedin Future programme, including community engagement results and also Remuneration Authority recommendations around pay rates for Councillors. 'Many of these topics will give people a good idea of the wide-ranging environmental work which ORC undertakes for communities around Otago,' she says. The main Council meeting will start with a public forum and Cr Robertson encourages anyone interested to call the ORC as soon as possible to secure a speaking time. So far those scheduled to make presentations include a representative from Extinction Rebellion and a ratepayer talking about waterways and river maintenance. The meeting's full Agenda will be available online from Monday morning.
