A controversial car-free connection in Dunedin\u2019s Town Belt has spurred a council candidacy, as the contender calls for an immediate halt to the Queens Dr trial.<\/p>\n
Jo Galer told the\u00a0Otago Daily Times\u00a0of her candidacy yesterday, saying the contentious shared pathway trial had “tipped her” to stand.<\/p>\n
Former councillor Bill Acklin has also announced he would like to return to the Dunedin City Council table.<\/p>\n
Mr Acklin was one of five councillors to lose their seats at the October council election \u2014 he is the first of that group to confirm he will run again.<\/p>\n
A by-election is required following the death of city councillor and former mayor Jules Radich on January 4. Nominations opened on Monday and election day is May 12.<\/p>\n
Ms Galer, who finished 23rd from 54 candidates in October\u2019s election, said she was concerned the council was pressing ahead with projects not wanted by Dunedin residents.<\/p>\n
“They need a council that they feel supports them, that does good things, that is careful and reasoned and well thought out, and doesn’t embarrass the city in this way with dragging out old furniture and just plonking it in the middle of this area.”<\/p>\n
In December, the council voted 10-4 to close a 1.8km section of Queens Dr and Braid Rd for three months from last week, while a shared pathway connecting Roslyn, Mornington and the City Rise was tested, in line with the Town Belt reserve management plan.<\/p>\n
The trial is expected to cost $15,100, largely funded through the council\u2019s transport budgets, and includes street furniture on Queens Dr.<\/p>\n
Ms Galer called on the council to stop the trial immediately, citing negative feedback online and in print.<\/p>\n
“If able to be done without incurring any further wasteful spending, I would like the trial to stop now, and the multi-coloured impediments to be removed out of respect for the strength of feeling in the community.”<\/p>\n
She noted Mr Radich voted against the proposal in December.<\/p>\n
Mr Acklin finished in 19th place in October and at the time told the\u00a0ODT\u00a0he was disappointed not to return to council.<\/p>\n
He was elected in 2022, having previously served on the council from 2004 to 2013.<\/p>\n
“I think it’s fairly well known that a lot of what Jules stood for, I do too,” Mr Acklin said.<\/p>\n
Mr Acklin said he was mindful of the need to keep rates rises and debt under control.<\/p>\n
Mr Radich was a staunch advocate for groynes at St Clair Beach and Mr Acklin said he wanted to see action to bring this about.<\/p>\n
“We’ve got nothing to lose out of trying that.”<\/p>\n
Mr Acklin pointed to his record in the previous term of supporting festivals and events, “because it’s a twofold win \u2014 one is a vibrant city for residents, but it also has an economic benefit in terms of bringing in visitors”.<\/p>\n
Former councillor Kevin Gilbert ruled himself out of the by-election.<\/p>\n
Andrew Whiley, who narrowly missed out on re-election, has yet to confirm if he will stand.<\/p>\n
He was 16th in the race for 14 councillor positions in October.<\/p>\n
Former councillor Jim O\u2019Malley declined to comment.<\/p>\n
Lync Aronson and Richard Knights have previously said they planned to run in the by-election.<\/p>\n
Voting begins on April 10.<\/p>\n