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What the proposed waterfront development will look like. Image: Animation Research

Plans for Dunedin's waterfront development should be scaled back in favour of a greater focus on the city, and the world's, climate emergency, the Seniors' Climate Action Network says.

The call came from Dunedin network representative Donna Peacock as she addressed councillors during the public forum at this week's Dunedin City Council meeting.

Mrs Peacock told the meeting her group applauded the recent declaration of a climate emergency in Dunedin by the council, but now had ''great concerns'' about the city's ''extravagant'' waterfront development plan.

The project was not in line with a focus on minimising harm to the environment, and the associated spending - whether debt-funded or from the Provincial Growth Fund - could be put to better uses, she argued.

''In these uncertain times, which pose incredible challenges to all here in Dunedin, it would seem irresponsible to proceed,'' she told councillors.

She urged them to scale back the plan and instead focus on financing climate-related initiatives, including mitigating the impact of sea-level rise in the harbour basin and in other areas, such as St Clair.

Shane Jones

Key infrastructure would also have to be replaced, and housing moved, to cope with climate change over time, and new modes of transport would need investment, she said.

If the council planned a simpler waterfront development instead, with a less extravagant bridge, more money could also be invested in planning for alternatives - from climate-resilient housing developments and the acquisition of fertile land, to cycleways and free public transport programmes.

The Seniors' Climate Action Network was formed in 2014 and has attracted about 150 followers on social media, although a core group of ''six to 10'' members attended meetings, she told the Otago Daily Times later.

Council community and planning group manager Nicola Pinfold said the waterfront plan was designed to accommodate predicted sea-level rise over the next 50 years, and sustainability was also ''one of the principles underpinning the vision''.

''The plan is to minimise the carbon footprint of the development. Energy-saving elements are also incorporated in the design with panels to capture solar energy proposed in both the pedestrian and cycle bridge and the exterior of the cultural centre [building].

''This will provide energy to power elements of the development.''

The DCC has committed to spending $20million on a pedestrian and cycling bridge, improving access to the area, but is still awaiting a decision on a bid for up to $100million from the Provincial Growth Fund.

The PGF money would pay for replacement wharves, walkways and building platforms needed to provide public access, prepare the site for development and unlock private investment in the area.

The council was also working with the NZ Transport Agency to secure a financial contribution to the bridge, she said.

''The buildings are to be developed primarily by the private sector.''

Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones has also described the plan as ''iconic and transformational'' for the city and unparalleled in scale in New Zealand.

''This, quite frankly, is going to make a major contribution to our sense of nationhood as a country.''

chris.morris@odt.co.nz