Dunedin\u2019s mayor has hit back after a government minister accused the city of dragging its feet over solving South Dunedin\u2019s wastewater problems.<\/p>\n
New Zealand First MP Mark Patterson waded into the debate yesterday morning when he met members of the Surrey Street Flood Action Group to discuss their concerns about the city council\u2019s response to wet weather overflows.<\/p>\n
The minister said work so far had been \u2018\u2018very little, very late\u2019\u2019 and he thought South Dunedin had fallen afoul of \u2018\u2018some social inequity\u2019\u2019 in the response.<\/p>\n
Dunedin Mayor Sophie Barker disputed his comments and pointed to the Dunedin City Council\u2019s schedule of short- and medium-term work in the area.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018It\u2019s disappointing to hear Minister Patterson has made these comments, and I reject his suggestion South Dunedin is being treated differently than other suburbs.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018In fact, we are investing hugely in South Dunedin to ensure it has a strong, resilient future.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
Mr Patterson was shown around Surrey St, including work on short-term improvements to reduce overflows, by group convener Lynne Newell.<\/p>\n
For years, residents have flagged problems with contaminated water, occasionally accompanied by toilet paper and sanitary products, seeping from manhole covers during periods of heavy rain.<\/p>\n
The council must stop discharge of wastewater in the street and surrounds by June next year under an abatement notice issued by the Otago Regional Council in November.<\/p>\n
During discussion with Ms Newell and group members, Mr Patterson described decision-making on infrastructure in the area as \u2018\u2018paralysis by analysis\u2019\u2019.<\/p>\n
While he was pleased to see work happening in the street, it was \u2018\u2018very low-hanging fruit\u2019\u2019, and changes would have been in place much soon if a suburb of higher socioeconomic status was affected.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018Politicians will be eviscerated, both local and central government, if another flood comes through here and nothing\u2019s happened since 2015 … we\u2019ve got to get some urgency in there.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
He suggested central government\u2019s Regional Infrastructure Fund could support work, such as redevelopment of Forbury Park, to alleviate flooding, and believed it could be included in his party\u2019s manifesto ahead of the general election.<\/p>\n
Ms Barker said she and senior council staff had a positive meeting with Mr Patterson yesterday which included discussing Surrey St and \u2018\u2018the need for a joint approach that avoids the issues there becoming a political football\u2019\u2019.<\/p>\n
Councils would appreciate support from central government on infrastructure investment before crises emerged.<\/p>\n
She was heartened by Mr Patterson\u2019s idea on infrastructure funding.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018We\u2019d like to see what political parties are willing to put on the table to help communities like South Dunedin.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
The council completely understood the community\u2019s frustration, particularly those affected by previous floods, and it was \u2018\u2018working hard on solutions\u2019\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018We are the council that is delivering on pipes in the ground and engineering solutions.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
She acknowledged late councillor Jules Radich\u2019s work towards solutions in Surrey St and on plans for the future of the wider area.<\/p>\n
The solutions were complex but city-wide wastewater network improvements to reduce overflows, including Surrey St, were budgeted at $60million in the council\u2019s nine-year-plan.<\/p>\n
A preferred option was expected to be selected by mid-year.<\/p>\n
A $29.2m package of short-term South Dunedin flood alleviation projects was also in the plan while pipe replacement work elsewhere in Dunedin would ensure capacity was used as intended.<\/p>\n
This funding, plus hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on planning, was not \u2018\u2018very little\u2019\u2019 \u2014 it was a significant part of the council\u2019s city-wide capital budget, Ms Barker said.<\/p>\n
The work was in addition to the South Dunedin Future programme \u2014 joint work between the city and regional councils to develop a long-term climate adaptation master plan for the area.<\/p>\n
Infrastructure portfolio councillor Brent Weatherall said it was a pity Mr Patterson had shown no urgency in lobbying the government for assistance in mitigating flooding and erosion in South Dunedin since entering Parliament in 2017.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018Dunedin\u2019s ratepayers simply can\u2019t afford to carry all the cost.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018Mr Patterson should be praising the fact this council has begun the task to alleviate water infrastructure pressure in that area.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
By-election candidate Jo Galer also attended the group\u2019s meeting, at Ms Newell\u2019s request.<\/p>\n