Argument over Dunedin's George Street costs prompts councillor walk-out

Dunedin’s controversial and expensive upgrade to its main city centre street continues to ruffle feathers with one councillor staging a walk-out after heated exchanges in council chambers today.

A report before the Dunedin City Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee today detailing the completion of the Retail Quarter Upgrade Project confirmed a cost of $110.3 million.

The project, mostly around George Street and the immediate area, has delivered a total of 15.5 km of stormwater, wastewater and potable water pipe rehabilitation and renewals. 

Above ground works accounted for $60m of surface treatments of the entire central city upgrade that has yet to include Princes Street, and Lower Stuart Street. Of that, around $28m has been spent on George Street.

Those comprise 25,000m2 of new paved and asphalt surfacing, 5.2km of new kerb and channel, 10 upgraded signalised intersections, including 75 new traffic signal poles,  126 new street light poles and LED luminaires, 7,330 new plants and more than 90 new semi-mature trees along with more than 350 new and replacement signs.

There are also 61 seats to support those with mobility issues and increased interaction between people on the street, four accessible drinking fountains/bottle filling stations and 48 cycle stands.

Most councillors today were full of praise for the completed results, which also made George Street into a one-way street for traffic.

Councillor Sophie Barker said George Street has gone from “dingy to dazzling”.

Councillor Carmen Houlahan acknowledged the project, started under the previous council, had put councillors and staff through “years of pain”.

“It was very heated the debate around this on numerous times.”

Councillor Steve Walker pointed to the stormwater upgrades and how well they had coped during the recent heavy rain event.

Councillor Brent Weatherall agreed.

“It just goes to show it was a great investment, which protects the CBD from flooding. Although I don’t agree with the size of the budget I congratulate the efforts of council staff ,who managed to completed the project basically, on budget.”

Councillor Mandy Mayhem said George Street was now more accessible for people with disabilities or mobility issues.

“That is encouraging people to sit and linger longer on our main street. It has improved the pedestrian experience.

“George Street feels safer, it feels welcoming, our vibrant community is reflected in the increased use we see on the main street. Our survey shows people are now happy with the look and feel of the main street.”

The George Street playground with see-saw

Councillor Lee Vandervis was critical of the project, particularly the $600,000 costs associated with the new George Street playground and see-saw.

“The majority of residents who I represent don’t agree with these comments. My feedback and it has been over a few years now, is that spending over $100m to get a reduction in traffic flows, to have a colourless shades-of-Grey tiles which by the way are very high maintenance because of their porous quality.”

He was interrupted at that point by a Point of Order from Councillor Mayhem pointing out those tiles were chosen for visually-impaired pedestrians.

Committee chair Jim O’Malley upheld the Point of Order.

However, Vandervis questioned that.

O’Malley then told him he could not ask a question.

Vandervis went on to say “the vast majority” of people he represented felt the project was overly expensive.

That led to a second Point of Order, this time from Councillor Kevin Gilbert pointing out that as councillors at large, they were supposed to represent the whole of Dunedin.

There then followed a terse back and forth exchange between Vandervis and O’Malley, which involved O’Malley asking Vandervis to stop arguing before calling an adjournment of a “two-minute silence” to cool tempers.

Vandervis concluded his speech saying people were “not happy with what we got” given the extreme cost.

Council Christine Carey then suggested to Vandervis he “gets out more and talks to a wider range of people”.

Vandervis called a Point of order for misrepresentation, asking the chair to ask for a withdrawal.

O’Malley declined, prompting Vandervis to calmly collect his things and leave the chamber.

Garey continued saying she was delighted to see how the work had performed during last week’s heavy rain event.

O’Malley concluded the meeting some minutes later, pointing out the project had involved “a lot of consultation” with the public.

“There’s probably well over 90 percent of the city who agree that it was worth it.”

Main image: Councillor Lee Vandervis in today's DCC committee meeting debate, moments before walking out.